arch. Also 4–5 bour-, 5 bur- [f. BOWER sb.1 1.] A chamber-woman, a waiting-woman.

1

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 9. Þis gospel telliþ not how Marie tok a bourwoman, but went mekeli in hast to salute her cosyn.

2

c. 1400.  Ywaine & Gaw., 1711. A lady, twa bourwemen alswa.

3

c. 1450.  Gloss., in Wr.-Wülcker, 691. Hec abra, ancilla, burwoman.

4

1820.  Scott, Monast. The shepherd’s wife … who in better days had been her own bowerwoman.

5