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.
Bowy, Bowie, n. Also: bowé. [Of obscure origin; perhaps a dim. of *bow from OE. bolla, ON. bolle.] A shallow dish, bowl, or small tub.1538 Aberd. B. Rec. XVI (J).
Ane stand, a bowy 1542 Inv. Wardrobe 71.
Ane gryt bowie ourgilt Ib. 72.
Ane gryt bowy 1543 Ib. 113.
Ane lid of ane bowe 1581 Prot. Bk. J. Robertson ii.
Ane gell fatt, ane stand, ane bowy, ane tub 1585 Prot. Bk. G. Fyiff 39.
Ane tub, ane baikbread, ane littill bowy 1597 Edinb. Test. XXIX. 322.
Three aill bowies 1598 Stirling Ant. III. 308.
For ane bowie salt 1604 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 39.
Scho maskit hir fatt & weische hir standes & bowyes 1630 Bamff Chart. 223.
Thrie lying barrells, ane standing bowie 1645 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III. 44.
A brew fatt with the … stands and bowies, furnitour thairto 1668 Alford Rec. 113.
Shee declared there was no more aile in her hous, whereupon, one of them haveing searched the bowies, and finding no more [etc.]
