nurser

n.; pl. Nurseries [ Cf. F. nourricerie. ] 1. The act of nursing. [ Obs. ] “Her kind nursery.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The place where nursing is carried on; as: (a) The place, or apartment, in a house, appropriated to the care of children. (b) A place where young of any species, plant or animal, are nourished preparatory to transfer elsewhere; especially a place where young trees, shrubs, vines, etc., are propagated for the purpose of transplanting; a plantation of young trees. (c) The place where anything is fostered and growth promoted. “Fair Padua, nursery of arts.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

Christian families are the nurseries of the church on earth, as she is the nursery of the church in heaven. J. M. Mason. [ 1913 Webster ]

(d) That which forms and educates; as, commerce is the nursery of seamen. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is nursed. [ R. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]