dossière, n.f., back-band, ridge-band (of harness); back-plate (of a cuirass).

dot (dot), n.f., marriage portion; dowry. La — d’une religieuse; what a nun pays for being admitted into a nunnery. Coureur de —s; fortune-hunter.

dotal, -e, adj., dotal, concerning dowry.

dotation, n.f., endowment, dotation.

doter, v.a., to endow, to give a portion, to give a dowry. — une église; to endow a church.

douaire, n.m., jointure, dower, marriage-settlement. Il lui a assigné dix mille livres de —; he has settled ten thousand francs upon her.

douairi-er, -ère, adj., dowager.

douairière, n.f., dowager; jointress.

douane, n.f., custom-house, custom-duty, duty. Préposé à la —; custom-house officer. Conseil des —s; board of customs. Droit de —; customs duty.

douaner, v.a., to clear goods at the custom-house; to pass through the custom-house.