dhobi

British  

/ ˈdəʊbɪ /

noun

1. (in India, Malaya, East Africa, etc, esp formerly) a washerman

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Etymology

Origin of dhobi

C19: from Hindi, from dhōb washing; related to Sanskrit dhāvaka washerman

Example Sentences

Varsha, the daughter of a dhobi, or laundry man, wants to be a police officer.

From Economist • Mar. 17, 2016

Her pockets were emptied as a matter of routine by Aniyan the dhobi.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

The Japanese dhobi had died from wounds during the night, and he was buried in the morning; nearly all the German officers, from the Commander downwards, attending in full uniform.

From Five Months on a German Raider Being the Adventures of an Englishman Captured by the 'Wolf' by Trayes, Frederic George

But, however this may have been, he managed to retain his rights as a dhobi after his baptism, and took his station at the usual washing-place without difficulty.

From India and the Indians by Elwin, Edward Fenton

The dhobi stands in the stream and rinses the linen in the running water, sometimes using a little soap.

From India and the Indians by Elwin, Edward Fenton