\Dow"a*ger\, n. [OF. douagiere, fr. douage dower. See
{Dower}.]
1. (Eng. Law) A widow endowed, or having a jointure; a widow
   who either enjoys a dower from her deceased husband, or
   has property of her own brought by her to her husband on
   marriage, and settled on her after his decease. --Blount.
   --Burrill.
2. A title given in England to a widow, to distinguish her
   from the wife of her husband's heir bearing the same name;
   -- chiefly applied to widows of personages of rank.
         With prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans.
                                               --Tennyson.
{Queen dowager}, the widow of a king.