- bosom
- O.E. bosm "breast; womb; surface; ship's hold," from W.Gmc. *bosm- (cf. O.Fris. bosm, O.S. bosom, M.Du. boesem, Du. boezem, O.H.G. buosam, Ger. Busen "bosom, breast"), perhaps from PIE base *bhou- "to grow, swell," or *bhaghus "arm" (in which case the primary notion would be "enclosure formed by the breast and the arms"). Narrowed meaning "a woman's breasts" is from 1959; but bosomy "big-breasted" is from 1928. Bosom-friend is attested 1580s; bosom buddy from 1920s.