Housewife etymology

English

English word housewife comes from Middle English huswijf

Etymology of housewife

Detailed word origin of housewife

Dictionary entry Language Definition
huswijf Middle English (enm)
housewife English (en) A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work; – called also hussy.. A woman, often unemployed, who spends most of her time maintaining the upkeep of her home and tending to household affairs.. The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household.