ETYM French bureau a writing table, desk, office, Old Fren., drugget, with which a writing table was often covered, equiv. to French bure, and from Old Fren. buire dark brown.
1. A desk or writing table with drawers for papers.
2. A department of public business requiring a force of clerks; the body of officials in a department who labor under the direction of a chief.
3. A chest of drawers for clothes, especially when made as an ornamental piece of furniture.