A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Ȝowle, Ȝoul(e, n. Also: youel. [17th. c. Eng. youle (1622); Ȝowle v. Cf. Gowl n.1 Also in the later dial.] An act of yowling; the sound itself, a howl or screech. a. As the call of a bird. b. Of a fiend or the like. c. Of a dog.a. c1450-2 Howlat 53 (A).
He [sc. the owl] grat grysly grym, and gaif a gret ȝowle [B. ȝoule] c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 124/22.
Ay fairast feddiris hes farrest foulis; Suppois thai have na sang bot ȝowlis c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 163/75.
The myttane and Sanct Martynis fowle … Thay set aupone him with a ȝowle c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 164/122.
The air was dirkit with the fowlis, That come with ȝawmeris and with ȝowlisb. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 183/69.
Quhen na hous is bot hell and hevin … Quhair ȝoulis ar hard with horreble stevin 1685 Sinclair Satan's Inv. World 82.
A loud fearful youel was heard at a distancec. 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 236.
The dog passit away … with ane ȝowle
