n. & v.
--n.
1. a loose flowing garment, esp. a long dress worn by a woman.
2 the official robe of an alderman, judge, cleric, member of a university, etc.
3 a surgeon's overall.
4 the members of a university as distinct from the permanent residents of the university town (cf. TOWN).
--v.tr. (usu. as gowned adj.) attire in a gown.
Etymology: ME f. OF goune, gon(n)e f. LL gunna fur garment: cf. med. Gk gouna fur