n.; pl.Dozen (before another noun), Dozens [ OE. doseine, dosein, OF. doseine, F. douzaine, fr. douze twelve, fr. L. duodecim; duo two + decem ten. See Two, Ten, and cf. Duodecimal. ] 1. A collection of twelve objects; a tale or set of twelve; with or without of before the substantive which follows. “Some six or seven dozen of Scots.” “A dozen of shirts to your back.” “A dozen sons.” “Half a dozen friends.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. An indefinite small number. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
A baker's dozen, thirteen; -- called also a long dozen. [ 1913 Webster ]