Bawd Law and Legal Definition
Bawd is an archaic term used to refer to a person, usually a woman, who keeps a house of prostitution or bawdy house. A bawd solicits customers for a prostitute. The term refers to a madam of the bawdy house.
The following is an example of case law defining the term:
A bawd is defined by the Missouri Supreme Court as one who procures opportunities for persons of opposite sexes to cohabit in an illicit manner. And, a woman in exercising the trade of a bawd may be perfectly innocent of the crime of adultery or fornication. [State v. Boos, 66 Mo. App. 537 (Mo. Ct. App. 1896)].
