Inflected forms: pl. gaud·ies Chiefly British A feast, especially an annual university dinner.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English gaudi, gaud, prank, trick, possibly from Old French gaudie, merriment (from gaudir, to enjoy, make merry, from Latin gaudre, to rejoice)and from Latin gaudium, enjoyment, merry-making (from gaudre, to rejoice; see gu- in Appendix I).