[gown] n [ME, fr. MF goune, fr. LL gunna, a fur or leather garment] (14c) 1 a: a loose flowing outer garment formerly worn by men b: a distinctive robe worn by a professional or academic person c: a woman's dress d (1): dressing gown (2): nightgown e: a coverall worn in an operating room
2: the body of students and faculty of a college or university "rivalry between town and ~" -- gown vt