A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Bowsum, a. Also: bowsome, bousum, -some, busume. [Northern ME. bowsum, -som, bousum, varr. of bughsom, boȝsom, early ME. buhsum, whence also ME. buxum, Buxum a.]
1. Ready to obey; obedient, compliant; complaisant, amiable.a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii. 629.
Thai, as busume in al thing Til hym, has done byddynge c1420 Wynt. ii. 990.
He … maid thame bowswm tyll his wylle Ib. iv. 56.
He gert tyll his lordschipe bowsum be The Albanyis c1450-2 Howlat 870.
Dame Natur … Quhom thai ressaif with reuerens, and bowsome obeysance a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 351.
He is … blith and bousum … as byrd in hir bour a1500 Henr. III. 148/63.
O blosum blithe and bowsumest 1513 Doug. i. v. 134.
Towart the Troianys … til be bowsum and kynd
b. Disposed to listen or give heed.1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. iii. 7.
Sum gratious sweitnes in my breist imprent Till mak the heirars bowsum and attent 1531 Bell. Boece I. p. ii; Ib. xviii.
That the reders bousum and attent Wer of my laubour and besynes content
c. Pleasant, agreeable, handsome.1560 Rolland Seven S. 188/19.
To his wife is he gone Quha was richt fair, bowsum with all bewtie a1585 Maitl. Q. xxxv. 77.
A ladye bricht, plesand in bed, bowsum & red, ane daintie day and nicht c1590 J. Stewart 54/49.
Zephir suawe vith bonie bousum blast Reuerts againe the blomit branchis greine
2. Convenient, apt.1531 Bell. Boece I. cviii.
Ilk story be the self is seperat To mak thaim bowsome to thine audience
