An archaic or obsolete term of endearment or affection, often applied to a beloved person, sweetheart, or mistress.
Possibly from Dutch 'duizendschoon' (thousand-beautiful) or a corruption of French 'douce' (sweet) plus English suffix. A term of courtly affection from Renaissance England.
Medieval and Renaissance English had adorably weird terms of endearment that sound bizarre today—'dowsabel,' 'poppet,' 'lambkin.' Each era has its own love language.
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