The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
shirtwaist \shirtwaist\, Shirt waist \Shirt waist\ [shirt + waist; see waist[3], n.] 1. A woman's blouse resembling a men's shirt in cut and style; -- in England called a blouse. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC] 2. a type of woman's dress with a bodice tailored like a shirt; -- also called shirt dress, shirtwaist dress, and shirtwaister. --[RHUD] [PJC]