dosser

¹

[ dos-er ]

noun

1. a basket for carrying objects on the back; pannier.
2. an ornamental covering for the back of a seat, especially a throne or the like.
3. dossal ( def 1 ).

dosser

²

[ dos-er ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. a person who sleeps in a doss house.

dosser

¹

/ ˈdɒsə /

noun

1. rare.
   a bag or basket for carrying objects on the back

dosser

²

/ ˈdɒsə /

noun

1. a person who sleeps in dosshouses
2. See dosshouse
   another word for dosshouse
3. a lazy person; idler

Word History and Origins

Origin of dosser¹

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French; Middle French dossier < Medieval Latin dosserium, variant of dorserium, equivalent to dors ( um ) back + -erium -ery; replacing Middle English dorser < Medieval Latin dorserium

Origin of dosser²

First recorded in 1865–70; doss + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dosser¹

C14: from Old French dossier, from Medieval Latin dorsārium, from Latin dorsum back

Example Sentences

The most unique feature of the two-cent dosser class is its apparent happiness.

From Project Gutenberg

But Tom Dosser, a new arrival, and a famous shot, now stepped in front of the old man.

From Project Gutenberg

"The angel needn't hurry hisself," said Tom Dosser, picking himself up, one joint at a time.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, the modern “dosser” is better and more decently housed.

From Project Gutenberg

I hope 'tis not the first time you have seen a child carried out of town in a dosser for fear of the plague.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drapery