Dhobie

/ˈdoʊbi/ noun

Definition

A person in South Asia, especially India, whose job is to wash clothes for customers, typically washing by hand in rivers or at dedicated washing places.

Etymology

From Hindi dhobi via English colonial spelling variant dhobie. An alternative romanization of the same Hindi occupational term as dhobi and dhobey.

Kelly Says

Colonial British texts often spelled dhobi as 'dhobie' and even gave the name to a particular type of convenient laundry service that still exists in India called 'dhobi service.'

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