The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Housewife \House"wife`\, Housewive \House"wive`\, v. t.
   To manage with skill and economy, as a housewife or other
   female manager; to economize.
   [1913 Webster]

         Conferred those moneys on the nuns, which since they
         have well housewived.                    --Fuller.
   [1913 Webster]