Late 18th century; earliest use found in Thomas Pennant (1726–1798), naturalist, traveller, and writer. From Welsh penbardd from pen head, chief + bardd.
Definition of penbardd in US English:
penbardd
nounˈpɛnbɑːd
historical, archaic
A head or chief bard.
Origin
Late 18th century; earliest use found in Thomas Pennant (1726–1798), naturalist, traveller, and writer. From Welsh penbardd from pen head, chief + bardd.