Bower
/ˈbaʊ.ər/noun
A pleasant, shaded retreat or a leafy shelter formed by trees or climbing plants.
Did you know?Bower ultimately comes from Old English words tied to a dwelling or chamber, and later became a poetic name for a leafy retreat — a perfect example of language turning shelter into spellcraft.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*bū-
“to dwell, remain, live”
Old English
OE
būr
“a dwelling, chamber, or little house”
Middle English
ME
bour / bower
“a chamber, private room, or enclosed dwelling”
14th Century
English
bower
“a private room, then a shady arbor or leafy retreat”
Modern English
English
bower
“a pleasant, shaded shelter formed by trees or vines”