Obsolete spelling of cowan (one uninitiated in the secrets of Freemasonry).
wench
wench
noun
(US, archaic or historical) A black woman (of any age), especially if in a condition of servitude.
(archaic or dialectal) Used as a term of endearment for a female person, especially a wife, daughter, or girlfriend: darling, sweetheart.
(archaic) A promiscuous woman; a mistress (“other woman in an extramarital relationship”).
(archaic) A prostitute.
(archaic) A woman servant; a maidservant.
(archaic, now dialectal or humorous, possibly offensive) A girl or young woman, especially a buxom or lively one.
(specifically) A girl or young woman of a lower class.
verb
(intransitive, archaic, now humorous) To frequent prostitutes; to whore; also, to womanize.
wince
wince
noun
A reel used in dyeing, steeping, or washing cloth; a winch. It is placed over the division wall between two wince pits so as to allow the cloth to descend into either compartment at will.
A sudden movement or gesture of shrinking away.
verb
(intransitive) To flinch as if in pain or distress.
(transitive) To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince.
