Obs. [f. LEPER sb.2 + -ESS.] A female leper. Also quasi-adj.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. Exam. Lazares, Q ij b. Yf the mother be a lepresse. Ibid., Q iij, Than ought ye to enquyre yf he hath had ye company of any lepresse woman…. A woman is nat so daungerous to be a lepresse to habyte with a lazare, as it shulde be a man to habyte with a lazarous woman.
