wolfess

Noun

wolfess (plural wolfesses)

1. A female wolf, a she-wolf.
   • Whan the chyldren were now set at the brinke of yᵉ water, by chaunce came a wolfesse out of the nexte mountaynes, which gaue thē soucke, vntil they we∣re founde of the Kynges shepherde, who bringin∣ge them home, toke them hys wyfe to nouryshe.1550, Iohn Carion, translated by Gwalter Lynne, compiled by Iohn Funcke, The Thre Bokes of Cronicles, Whyche Iohn Carion (a Man Syngularly Well Sene in the Mathematycall Sciences) Gathered wyth Great...
   • The dog eloped with a white wolfess, and proved a good husband and father until his household was destroyed by relentless man.1922, Souls for Sale, page 384
2. (figuratively, slang) A predatory woman.
   • He’ll enjoy the game, and if he goes into it with his eyes wide open, he won’t be ensnared by any tricks the wolfess plays on him. Not your man. He’s yours!1946, Elizabeth Woodward, Let’s Have a Party, page 19
   • The hostess who invites only the gals whom she thinks she can outshine in looks and conversation, so that she’ll be queen of the ball, will swiftly win the reputation of having only female goons and creeps at her parties. Boys also duck the wolfess who manages to invite five men to every girl so...1947, Betty Betz, The Betty Betz Party Book, pages 16, 55