DOWDY

I. noun (plural dowdies) Etymology: diminutive of dowd ~, from Middle English doude Date: 1581 a ~ woman, II. adjective (dowdier; -est) Date: 1676 not neat or becoming in appearance ; shabby , 2. lacking smartness or taste , old-fashioned , dowdily adverb dowdiness noun ~ish adjective III. noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1936 pan~