Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Duchess of Newcastle (?1623–1673), writer. From nursery + maid late 19th century. From nursery-maid. Compare nursemaid.
Definition of nursery-maid in US English:
nursery-maid
nounˈnəːs(ə)riˌmeɪd
historical
Nursemaid.
verbˈnəːs(ə)riˌmeɪd
rare
with objectNursemaid.
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Duchess of Newcastle (?1623–1673), writer. From nursery + maid<br>late 19th century. From nursery-maid. Compare nursemaid.