noun · rare

bawd

bawd · bawds

A lewd personA lewd person.

UK/bɔːd/US/bɔd/

Meaning

3 senses

A lewd person.
(archaic, historical)One who keeps a brothel, or procures women for prostitution; a procurer or madam.
(broadly, obsolete)A person who facilitates an immoral act, especially one of a sexual nature.
a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money

Origin

From Middle English bawde, baude, from Old French baud (“bold, lively, jolly, gay”). Doubl

From Middle English bawde, baude, from Old French baud (“bold, lively, jolly, gay”). Doublet of bold. An association with Welsh bawddyn (“dirty fellow, scoundrel”), from baw (“dirt”), was suggested by the Rev. Henry Todd.

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