burly

 
Pronunciation: /ˈbəːli/

adjective (burlier, burliest)

  • (of a person) large and strong; heavily built: I saw a burly figure approaching a big, burly man

Derivatives

burliness

noun

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'dignified, imposing'): probably from an unrecorded Old English word meaning 'stately, fit for the bower' (see bower1, -ly1)