contemptible (little) ascetic, “some sort of samaṇa” DN.i.90; MN.ii.47, MN.ii.210; Snp.p.21; Mil.222; DN-a.i.254. At AN.ii.48 samaṇaka is a slip for sasanaka. Cp. muṇḍaka in form & meaning.

samaṇa + ka