[f. BOW sb.1 and v.2 + -ER.]

1

  † 1.  A maker of bows; a bowyer. Obs.

2

c. 1440.  York Myst., xxix. 254. The Bowers and Flecchers.

3

1466.  Mann. & Househ. Exp., 367. I payd to the bower fore dyverse gere, vjs.

4

1483.  Cath. Angl., 38. A Bower, arcuarius.

5

1733.  P. Lindsay, Interest Scot., 56. The Bowers, Fletchers, and several others.

6

  2.  One who plays with a bow on a violin or other stringed instrument.

7

1668.  Shadwell, Sullen Lov., II. Wks. 1720, I. 43. He is a most incomparable Bower, he has … the most luxurious Bow-hand of any man in Europe.

8