doll / däl/ • n. a small model of a human figure, often one of a baby or girl, used as a child's toy. ∎ inf. an attractive young woman, often with connotations of unintelligence and frivolity. ∎ inf. an attractive young man. ∎  a generous or considerate person: would you be a doll and set the table? ∎ inf. used as an affectionate, sometimes offensive, form of address: hey, doll, wanna dance?• v. [tr.] (doll someone up) inf. dress someone or oneself smartly and attractively: I got all dolled up for a party. ∎  (doll something up) inf. decorate or dress up something: you can doll up a plain ham with spiced apples and kale.ORIGIN: mid 16th cent. (denoting a mistress): nickname for the given name Dorothy. The sense ‘small model of a human figure’ dates from the late 17th cent.

doll †mistress XVI; child's toy-baby XVII; pretty but silly woman XIX. Pet-form of the female name Dorothy.
Hence dolly in same senses XVII; also applied to contrivances having a fancied resemblance to a doll XVIII; see -Y 6.