A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Koy, n. Also: koye. [Var. of Quoy n. Cf. Coy n.2 and also Kuoy.] A heifer, a young cow. Also comb. with stirk.c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 142.
Beggand koy and ox 1582 Brechin Test. I. 71.
v kye … iiij koyis price of the peice xl s. 1587 St. A. Test. II. 89 b.
Ane kow … twa koys price of thame baith vj lib. xiij s. iiij d. 1624 Dumfries Test. I a. 47.
The doddit koy 1631 Brechin Test. V. 14.
Ane steir and ane koy of tua ȝeir auld 1632 Ib. 78 b.
Tua quoyis pryce [£18], … Item tua ȝerling koyis pryce of the peice v lib. 1664 Ib. VI. 289 b.
Ane kow … tuo koyes 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 368.
Four milk kyne. 2 koyescomb. 1564–75 Hamilton & Campsie Test. I. 42 b.
Ane thre ȝeir auld stot and ane thre ȝeir auld koye price of the pece l s. … ane ȝeir auld koye stirk price xx s.