Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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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.

Claw, v. Also: clawe, cla; p.t. clawit, clew; p.p. clawin. [ME. clawe(n, OE. clawian.] tr. (or absol.) To scratch, esp. slightly or gently. Also fig. 1456 Hay I. 29/20.
A scorpioun … the quhilk softly and suetely touchis till mannis flesch, and softly clawis with hir clukis a1500 Henr. Fab. 521.
I hecht … To get ane berne, suld better claw my breik Ib. 1407.
Sum sparit not to claw him on the face a1500 Seven S. 563.
The herd wan till him with his hand And clawit him softly on the bak c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 275.
Weil couth I claw his cruke bak 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2184.
The hird on bak he clew the bair a1568 Scott iv. 27.
To lat hir wamb be clawin 1568 Pref. Lyndesay ii.
With fleschehukis of flatterie he neuer clew thame a1605 Montg. Son. xvi. 8.
Houbeit my hap be ill, And kittle aneugh, and clau me on the kame 1600-1610 Melvill 381.
His courtiours, wha goes about to cla and counsall him