\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.

\House"wife`\, Housewive \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.