Obs. rare. [f. BOUGH sb. + -ER. (prob. after BRANCHER), for which the fem. -ESS was afterwards substituted.] (See quots.)
c. 1460. Bk. Hawkyng, in Rel. Ant., I. 293. When they [young hawks] begynne to feder … they woll drawe them oute of here neste, and clambre over bowes, and come agayn to here neste, and then beth clepid bowers.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, A ij b. They will … draw to bowis … then thay be clepit Bowessis.
1706. Phillips, Bower or Bowess (in Falconry), a young Hawk so nam’d, when she draws any thing out of her Nest, and covets to clamber on the Boughs.
