BOLSTER, noun 1. A long pillow or cushion, used to support the head of persons lying on a bed; generally laid under the pillows. 2. A pad, or quilt, used to hinder pressure, support any part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part a compress. 3. In sadlery, a part of a saddle raised upon the bows or hinder part, to hold the rider's thigh. 4. In ships, a cushion or bag, filled with tarred canvas, used to preserve the stays from being worn or chafed by the masts. BOLSTER, verb transitive To support with a bolster pillow or any soft pad or quilt. 1. To support; to hold up; to maintain. 2. To afford a bed to.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI