buxom

Where does the word "buxom" come from? It comes from Old English būgan, passing through Middle English before entering English (1590s).

Buxom’s story begins in Old English: būgan meant “to bend.” 'to bend, bow', also the root of 'bow' and 'bight'. By 1100s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as buhsum. 'pliant, obedient'; in the Sarum marriage rite the bride promised to be 'bonere and buxum in bedde and at borde'. It reached English by 1590s as buxom. Passed through 'blithe, jolly' to 'plump and healthy', and later 'full-bosomed'. Today, buxom means (of a woman) attractively plump and full-bosomed.

1. Stage 1 · Old English · medieval būgan "to bend", 'to bend, bow', also the root of 'bow' and 'bight'.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1100s buhsum "obedient", 'pliant, obedient'; in the Sarum marriage rite the bride promised to be 'bonere and buxum in bedde and at borde'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1590s buxom "plump, full-figured", passed through 'blithe, jolly' to 'plump and healthy', and later 'full-bosomed'.