House"wife` (?), n. [House + wife. Cf. Hussy.] 1. The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household.
Shak.
He a good husband, a good housewife she.
Dryden.
2. (Usually pronounced .) [See Hussy, in this sense.] A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work; -- called also hussy. [Written also huswife.]
P. Skelton.
3. A hussy. [R.] [Usually written huswife.]
Shak.
Sailor's housewife, a ditty-bag.
© Webster 1913.
House"wife` (?), House"wive` (?), v. t. To manage with skill and economy, as a housewife or other female manager; to economize.
Conferred those moneys on the nuns, which since they have well housewived.
Fuller.
© Webster 1913. | 
