Physically unwell, suffering from weakness or illness; particularly used to denote a woman during the menstrual period, but can also refer to general physical illness or malaise. The word conveys a state of bodily suffering, incapacity, or ritual impurity associated specifically with menstruation.

Etymology Derived from the root דוה (d-w-h), meaning 'to be sick, to be weak, to languish.' The concrete form דָּוֶה (dâveh) is an adjectival/state term formed from the root, signifying 'in a state of sickness or weakness.' The root is also the source of related terms such as דָּוָה (dāvâh, 'to be sick') and דַּוָי (dāvay, 'sorrow, pain').

Reflexes  · not yet grouped by proto-form

LanguageWordMeaningSegmentationRoot
Ndau (closely related to Shona) dova dew, moisture -dov-
Shona dova moisture/dewdrop (also slang for menstruation, especially first menses; sometimes 'blood') dova