noun
A respectful term for the wife of a master or proprietor, often used in traditional or merchant family contexts. Somewhat dated; in modern settings 奥様 or 女将 may be more common.
あの料亭の御寮人はとても気さくな方だ。
The mistress of that traditional restaurant is a very friendly person.
ご寮人が帳場に座って帳簿を付けてい
The madam was sitting at the cashier's desk keeping the books.
The term is composed of 御 (honorific prefix) + 寮人 (originally a court official or steward), but the exact historical derivation of the meaning 'mistress of a house' is uncertain.