[dowdy] n, pl dowd.ies [dim. of dowd (dowdy), fr. ME doude] (1581) archaic: a dowdy woman
[2]dowdy adj dowd.i.er ; -est (1676) 1: not neat or becoming in appearance: shabby
2. a: lacking smartness or taste b: old-fashioned -- dowd.i.ly adv -- dowd.i.ness n -- dowdy.ish adj [3]dowdy n [origin unknown] (1936): pandowdy