housewife

noun

1. A woman whose main employment is homemaking, maintaining the upkeep of her home and tending to household affairs; often, such a woman whose sole [unpaid] employment is homemaking.

   “2000, Uli Kusch, "Mr. Torture", Helloween, The Dark Ride Mr Torture sells pain / To the housewives in Spain / He knows just what they crave / Mr Torture”

2. The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household.
3. A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work.

   “It was a housewife, containing needles, a bodkin, and thread; ‘and, do you know,’ added he, ‘it was the most useful thing she could have given me, for it lasted all the time I was at Rome to mend my clothes with […].’”

   “Woffington's housewife, made by herself, homely to the eye, but holds everything in the world”

   “The "soldier's housewife" was a small sewing kit that was carried to make timely repairs to clothing and equipment.”

4. (obsolete)A worthless woman; a hussy.

verb

1. (alt-of, alternative)Alternative form of housewive.

   “Career opportunity […] is the one who never knocks — especially not on the doors of women, who are still hooking, housewifing and hairdressing for their livings.”