nosegay

[ nohz-gey ]

/ ˈnoʊzˌgeɪ /

a small bunch of flowers; bouquet; posy.

Origin of nosegay

1375–1425; late Middle English: literally, a gay (obsolete, something pretty; see gay) for the nose (i.e., to smell)

Tell your mistress that whoever wants this nosegay must come herself and say: 'Yanitchko, give me that nosegay.'

The Shoemaker's Apron |Parker Fillmore
Isabel liked her company; it had the effect of one's carrying a nosegay composed all of the same flower.

The Portrait of a Lady |Henry James
Dr. Courtenay, of course, with a nosegay on his coat, striving to catch the beauty's eye.

Richard Carvel, Complete |Winston Churchill
If one only could go out and look at the flowers, and take poor Flora up a nosegay!

The Daisy Chain |Charlotte Yonge

Whoever wants this nosegay must say: 'My dear Yanitchko, I beg you most politely please to give me that nosegay.'

The Shoemaker's Apron |Parker Fillmore

nosegay

/ (ˈnəʊzˌɡeɪ) /

a small bunch of flowers; posy

C15: from nose + archaic gay a toy