couvade Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a custom among some peoples whereby the husband of a pregnant wife is put to bed at the time of bearing the child

WordNet

Cou`vade" noun
Etymology
F., fr. couver. See Covey.
Definitions
  1. A custom, among certain barbarous tribes, that when a woman gives birth to a child her husband takes to his bed, as if ill.
    The world-wide custom of the couvade, where at childbirth the husband undergoes medical treatment, in many cases being put to bed for days. Tylor.

Webster 1913