cowardship

English

Etymology

coward +‎ -ship

Noun

cowardship (uncountable)

1. (obsolete) cowardice
   • c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv], line 379:

     Sir Toby: and for his / cowardship, ask Fabian. Fabian: A coward, a most devout coward, religious in it!