▪ I. † frowze, n. Obs.
Also (? 6 frowes), 6–7 frowse, 7–8 fruz, 8 frouze.
[Of uncertain origin; possibly an alteration of frounce, with assimilation to friz, fuzz.]
? A wig of frizzed hair worn by women. Also frowze-, fruz-tower.
| 1563 Foxe A. & M. 919/2 Her two gentlewomen..helped her of therwith [her gowne] and also with her frowes paste and neckerchefe. 1670 Lady M. Bertie in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 21 Some ware all small ribban, others brode ribbans..and all frowzes of their owen haire. 1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode i. i. Wks. (1888) 245 This fine woman, I'll lay my life..has adorned her baldness with a large white fruz. 1687 Congreve Old Bach. iv. viii, The mother [bought] a great fruz-tower and a fat amber-necklace. 1710 Brit. Apollo II. No. 101. 3/2 This filthy Fruz I ne'er shall brook. 1724 [see bull-tour]. |
▪ II. frowze, v. Obs. exc. dial.
In 7 frouze. Also fruz v.
[related to prec. n.]
trans. To curl, frizz, ruffle, rumple.
| 1611 Florio, Increspare, to crispe, to curle, to frouze. Also to wrimple. 1881 Isle of Wight Gloss., Frowze, to rumple. |