Messenians after defeat by Sparta were forced to be helots. what does this term mean?

Helots were a subjugated population in ancient Sparta, primarily consisting of the Messenians who were defeated by the Spartans. They were essentially serfs bound to the land, working for their Spartan overlords and providing agricultural labor while having limited rights and freedoms. The helots were often subjected to harsh treatment and were considered inferior to the Spartan citizens, playing a crucial role in supporting the Spartan economy and military.