† ˈbowerly, a. Obs. exc. dial.
[Cf. burly; also bower n.3 3.]
Large; stout, burly.
| 1542 Udall Erasm. Apophth. 184 b, He had seen..right greate and bowerly images. 1794 Wolcott (P. Pindar) Ep. to Bruce Wks. II. 478 The bowerly hostess, for a cart⁓horse fit. 1864 E. Capern Devon Provinc., Bowerly, stout, rotund. 1880 Mrs. Parr Adam & E. xxi. 298 Eve's a fine bowerly maid. 1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornw. Gloss., Bowerly, burly; corpulent. 1880 T. Q. Couch E. Cornw. Gloss., Bowerly, stately and comely. |