gowan

noun

gow·an ˈgau̇-ən

chiefly Scotland

: daisy sense 1

broadly : a white or yellow field flower

gowany

ˈgau̇-ə-nē

adjective chiefly Scotland

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of Middle English gollan

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of gowan was in 1570

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Entries

go walking

gowan

go way back

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gowan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gowan. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Popular in Wordplay

'In Vino Veritas' and Other Latin Phrases to Live By

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Popular Features

gowan

noun

Word History

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

draconian

Popular in Grammar & Usage