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)

Then Aleck and I had to present our nosegays, which were, of course, greatly praised.

The Story of the White-Rock Cove |Anonymous
That is a handsomer ornament of a dinner-table than clusters of nosegays, and all sorts of uneatable decorations.

Gryll Grange |Thomas Love Peacock
Ribbons, nosegays, silks, were thrown upon them: all pressed to get a sight of them.

Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels, Vol. I (of 2) |Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Yes, he bribed you to place these two nosegays on our tables.

Margaret Capel, v. 3 of 3 |Ellen Wallace

He leaves vegetable marrows and nosegays as big as cabbages for the ladies at the back-door, because he is so shy.

The Celebrity at Home |Violet Hunt

nosegay

/ (ˈnəʊzˌɡeɪ) /

a small bunch of flowers; posy

C15: from nose + archaic gay a toy