portress

[ pawr-tris, pohr- ]

noun

1. a woman who has charge of a door or gate; a female doorkeeper.

portress

/ ˈpɔːtrɪs /

noun

1. a female porter, esp a doorkeeper

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of portress¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; porter ², -ess