Thomas Edward Brown. 1830–1897Godwottery go(hook)dwo(hook).t<e>ri. Also with lower-case initial. [f; God wot (cf. god sb. 10) in the line `A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot!' in T. E. Brown's poem My Garden (1876) + -ery. ] An affected or over-elaborate style of gardening or attitude towards gardens (see quots.); also (in quot. 1939), archaic language.
My Garden
A GARDEN is a lovesome thing, God wot!
Rose plot,
Fringed pool,
Fern'd grot—
The veriest school 5
Of peace; and yet the fool
Contends that God is not—
Not God! in gardens! when the eve is cool?
Nay, but I have a sign;
'Tis very sure God walks in mine. 10
I realize that this term has limited applications today, but it's such a lively word, and there's no reason for it to be archaic!
-Tim