don

DON. A title in Spain, formerly given to noblemen and gentlemen only, but now common to all classes. It is commonly supposed to be contracted from dominus, dom, and the Portuguese dono, the master or owner of any thing, gives some countenance to the opinion. It coincides nearly with Heb.: judge, ruler or lord. It was formerly used in England, and writter by Chaucer Dan. [See Spelman.]

Dona, or duena, the feminine of don, is the title of a lady, in Spain and Portugal.

DON, v.t. [To do on; opposed to doff.] To put on; to invest with.