/soweur"doh', sow"euhr-/ , n.
1. leaven, esp. fermented dough retained from one baking and used, rather than fresh yeast, to start the next.
2. a prospector or pioneer, esp. in Alaska or Canada.
3. any longtime resident, esp. in Alaska or Canada.
adj.
4. leavened with sourdough: sourdough bread.
[ 1275-1325; ME; see SOUR, DOUGH ]