gown

Etymology

From Middle English gowne, from Anglo-Norman gune, goune (“fur-trimmed coat, pelisse”), from Old French goune, from Late Latin gunna (“leather garment, a fur”), from Ancient Greek γούνα (goúna, “coarse garment”), of unknown origin. Perhaps from a Balkan or Apennine language. Alternatively, perhaps from Scythian, from Proto-Iranian *gawnám (“fur”) (compare Younger Avestan 𐬔𐬀𐬊𐬥𐬀 (gaona, “body hair”) and Ossetian гъун (ǧun))..

noun

1. A loose, flowing upper garment.
2. A woman's ordinary outer dress, such as a calico or silk gown.
3. The official robe of certain professionals, clerics, and scholars, such as university students and officers, barristers, judges, etc.
   1. The dress of civil officers, as opposed to military officers.
4. (by metonymy) The university community, especially as contrasted with the local populace.
   In the perennial town versus gown battles, townies win some violent battles, but the collegians are winning the war.
5. A loose wrapper worn by gentlemen within doors; a dressing gown.
6. Any sort of dress or garb.
7. The robe worn by a surgeon.

verb

1. To dress in a gown, to don or garb with a gown.