/dow"ree/ , n. , pl. dowries .
1. Also, dower . the money, goods, or estate that a wife brings to her husband at marriage.
2. Archaic. a widow's dower.
3. a natural gift, endowment, talent, etc.
Also, dowery .
[ 1250-1300; ME dowerie douarie dotarium. See DOT 2 , -ARY ]