cosset

noun

1. Alternative form of cossid (“courier or messenger”).

verb

Etymology: Perhaps from Middle English cotsete, from Old English cotsǣta (“cottager”), from cot (“cottage”) (Modern English cot (“cottage”) (archaic)) + -sǣta (“-sitter”); compare coscet. Compare German Hauslamm (literally “house lamb”), Italian casiccio.

1. To treat like a pet; to overly indulge.

   “The car cossets its occupants in comfort.”

2. To fondle; to touch or stroke lovingly.

   “The foam cossets your skin.”

3. To benefit; to make life easy for.

   “An independent oversight body is just setting up, but at full strength it will have a core team of just five. This is a state of affairs that cossets and enriches bailiffs at the expense of families who’ve fallen into debt.”