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.
Chow, v. Also: chowe, chou-. [e.m.E. and ME. chowe, OE. ceówan, var. of céowan whence ME. chewe.] tr. and intr. To chew.c1500 Rowll Cursing 120.
The devillis … Sayis richt thus of Rowlis geis, Thame [sic] chaftis thame chowit every peis 1558-66 Knox I. 44.
He tuck the bill, and chowing it, hee after spatt it in Mr Andro Oliphantis face 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 48.
As thay blasphem … saying: That the preistis chouis and gnauis Christ amang thair teith 1591-2 Rob Stene 17.
He … gevis ȝow leive to chow ȝour cude 1594 Warrender P. II. 248.
The said Gillipatrik confessit … that the bullettis wes owir passand for the hagbutt and he behuiffit to chow thame 1595 Duncan Appendix.
Remando, … to chowe the cude 1680-6 Lauder Observes 304.
All his irksome champing and chowing of it, was only … to seperat the concomitant nutriment
