bawd

American  

[bawd] / bɔd /

noun

Archaic.

1. a woman who maintains a brothel; madam.

2. a prostitute.

3. a procuress.

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bawd British  

/ bɔːd /

noun

1. a person who runs a brothel, esp a woman

2. a prostitute

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Etymology

Origin of bawd

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English bawde, noun use of Middle French baude, feminine of baud “jolly, dissolute,” from West Germanic; compare Old English bald bold

Example Sentences

“The impudence of a bawd is modesty compared with that of a convert,” said George Savile, the first marquess of Halifax.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

Words such as scold, shrew, termagent, witch, harlot, bawd, and tramp were all at one point in their histories terms for men; furthermore, the terms were usually neutral and sometimes even adulatory.

From Salon • May 11, 2013

Best of all is the wonderful, pivotal scene in which Tilly Tremayne's well-judged, shrewd widow takes on Harriet Walter's glittering bawd at chess.

From The Guardian • May 1, 2010

Or bawd bree, the rich hare broth of Scotland?

From Time Magazine Archive

Was there no felony, no bawd, Cut-purse, no burglary abroad; 715 No stolen pig, nor plunder'd goose, To tie thee up from breaking loose?

From Hudibras by Butler, Samuel