noun
Archaic derogatory term for a midwife, literally 'bear-hand old woman'. Not used in modern Japanese; the standard term is 産婆 (さんば) or 助産師 (じょさんし).
江戸時代の資料には「熊手婆」という言葉が産婆を指す蔑称として見られる。
In Edo-period documents, the word 熊手婆 appears as a derogatory term for a midwife.
Modern professional term for a midwife; neutral and official.
Compound of 熊手 (くまで, 'bear hand', a type of rake) and 婆 (ばば, 'old woman'). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely arose as a derogatory metaphor, possibly comparing the midwife's hands to a rake.