Main Entry:

pos·tern

Pronunciation:

\ˈpōs-tərn, ˈpäs-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English posterne, from Anglo-French, alteration of Old French posterle, from Late Latin posterula, diminutive of postera back door, from Latin, feminine of posterus

Date:

14th century

1 : a back door or gate 2 : a private or side entrance or way

— postern adjective