Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

dowlas

noun
dow·​las | \ˈdau̇ləs\
plural -es

Definition of dowlas 

1 : a coarse linen cloth used widely in the 16th and 17th centuries and manufactured originally in Brittany but later especially in northern England and Scotland

2 : a cotton imitation of dowlas

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for dowlas

alteration (influenced by Daoulas) of Middle English douglas, by folk etymology (influence of name Douglas) from Daoulas, Brittany, France

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about dowlas

Dictionary Entries near dowlas

do without

Dow Jones average

dowl

dowlas

dowly

down

Down

Statistics for dowlas

Look-up Popularity

Comments on dowlas

What made you want to look up dowlas? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

recalcitrant

obstinately defiant of authority

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Autumn Words of the Day 2018

  • a-top-down-image-of-road-through-an-autumn-forest
  • Which is a synonym of fugacious?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games