votress

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: vōtʹrĭs, IPA^(key): /ˈvəʊtɹɪs/

Syncopic form of votaress, by analogy with enchantress et al.

• vot’ress [18th–19th century]

votress (plural votresses)

1. (now rare, historical) A female votary. [from 16th c.]
   • 1789, Erasmus Darwin, The Loves of the Plants, J. Johnson, page 52:

     “Breathe soft, ye Gales!” the fair Carlina cries, / “Bear on broad wings your Votress to the skies.”

• “ˈvotress¹” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary [2nd Ed.; 1989]

From voter +‎ -ess.

votress (plural votresses)

1. A female that votes; a female voter.

• “ˈvotress²” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary [2nd Ed.; 1989]

• Stovers, stovers