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rowen (ROU-uhn) - n., a second crop of hay in a season (grown after the first crop has been reaped).
In other words, the aftermath in its original, or at least its literal, sense. In New England, it is also used for a stubble field left unploughed until late in the autumn, so that it can be cropped by cattle. Dates to at least the 14th century as rowein or reywayn, from Anglo-Norman regain/rewain, from Old French regaïn, from re-, again + gaïn, gain (from gaignier, to till/earn) -- so to "gain another (crop)." Aftermath is, of course, more focused on it being another reaping -- math being cognate with mow.
---L.
In other words, the aftermath in its original, or at least its literal, sense. In New England, it is also used for a stubble field left unploughed until late in the autumn, so that it can be cropped by cattle. Dates to at least the 14th century as rowein or reywayn, from Anglo-Norman regain/rewain, from Old French regaïn, from re-, again + gaïn, gain (from gaignier, to till/earn) -- so to "gain another (crop)." Aftermath is, of course, more focused on it being another reaping -- math being cognate with mow.
---L.
