[hus.band] n [ME husbonde, fr. OE husbonda master of a house, fr. ON husbondi, fr. hus house + bondi householder; akin to ON bua to inhabit; akin to OE buan to dwell--more at bower] (13c) 1: a male partner in a marriage
2. Brit: manager, steward
3: a frugal manager -- hus.band.ly adj
[2]husband vt (15c) 1 a: to manage prudently and economically b: to use sparingly: conserve
2. archaic: to find a husband for: mate -- hus.band.er n