drawers, n. pl.
(drɔːəz)
[From quot. 1567, app. a term of low origin, which has risen into general use: f. draw v., prob. as things which one draws on.]
A garment for the lower part of the body and legs: now usually restricted to under-hose worn next the skin. (In some early instances the word appears to mean stockings.)
| 1567 Harman Caveat 83 Here followyth their pelting speche..Whych language they terme Peddelars Frenche..A commission, a shierte; drawers, hosen; stampers, shooes. 1576 Inv. in Ripon Ch. Acts 378 A paire of drawers of mockadoo. 1611 Cotgr., Brayes, short (and close) breeches, drawers, or vnderhose, of linnen, &c. Ibid., House, a drawer, or course stocking worne ouer a finer, by countrey people. 1655 Newbrugh in Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 290, I haue sent an Indian gowne and stuff for drawers. 1658 Howell Part. Vocab., Drawers, le sotto calzetti, les chaussettes. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 51 ¶5 Makes a Country Squire strip to his Holland Drawers. 1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to C'tess Mar 1 Apr., The first part of my dress is a pair of drawers, very full, that reach to my shoes. 1791 Huddesford Salmag. 66 Cricket, nimble boy and light, In slippers red and drawers white. 1893 Sinclair & Henry Swimming (Badm. Lib.) 374 A skin-tight costume..with bathing-drawers underneath of silk. |