green gown

plural green gowns

1. archaichistoricalA dress that has been stained green from rolling in the grass; generally with allusion to sexual activity, especially a woman's loss of virginity.First known use 16th c.

   The boy […] flung himself upon Juliet, with all his force; protesting that he would give her a green gown.

   1814, Frances Burney, The Wanderer, section III.4

   3 more examples

   Oh, a morning to tempt Ioue frõ his Ningle Ganimed, vvhich is but to giue Dary VVenches greene govvnes as they are going a milking; […]

   1604 or 1605 (date written), Thomas Dekker, The Second Part of The Honest Whore, […], London: […] Elizabeth All-de, for Nathaniel Butter, published 1630, →OCLC, Act I, signature A2, recto

   Sometimes they lie open and are most tractable and coming, apt, yielding, and willing to embrace, to take a green gown, with that shepherdess in Theocritus, Idyll. 27, to let their coats, etc. […]

   1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition 3, section 2, member 2, subsection 4

   Who first gave our SALLY a Green-Gown is uncertain, but it is reported by many […] that upon being admitted an Honorary Member of Mrs. Wisebourn's Academy, she was, (tho' very indifferently) arrayed in that Colour […]

   1723, Charles Walker, Memoirs of Sally Salisbury, section II