Late 16th century; earliest use found in Laurence Tomson (1539–1608), administrator. From nurse + mother, in quot. 1579 after Middle French mere nourriciere. Compare slightly earlier nurse-father.
Definition of nurse-mother in US English:
nurse-mother
nounˈnəːsˌmʌðə
rare
A foster-mother; a wet-nurse.
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in Laurence Tomson (1539–1608), administrator. From nurse + mother, in quot. 1579 after Middle French mere nourriciere. Compare slightly earlier nurse-father.