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.
Quotation dates: 1567-1689
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Cousign(e, n. Also: cousignne, cowsigne, coosigne; cusigne, cusignne, cwsigne. [Variant of Cousin(e, Cousing.] A cousin or kinsman.(a) 1567 Acts II. 550/2.
The … gud service done … be hir richt traist cousigne and counsallour James Erle Boithuell 1572 Lennox Mun. 353.
With auise of our said cousigne and Regent, we promit … to the said Capitaine Thomas, [etc.] 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 73.
The assise of certane persownes called for the slaughter of vmquhill Johne White, … my cowsigne 1594 Douglas Chart. 312.
The gret affection … borne … to ws be oure darrest cousigne 1610 Edinburgh Testaments XLVI. 171 b.
I leif for ane taikin to my cousignne George Barroun, my fader broder sone, ane dowbel sowerane peis of gould 1624–5 Misc. Spald. C. V. 100.
At the creatioun of Archibald Prymrois and his cowsignes burgessis 1644 Red Bk. Menteith I. 385.
Your Lordship's most affectionat cowsigne and servand, Loudoun 1660 Fam. Rose 355.
Much honored cowsigne … Your verie affectionat cowsigne, Errol 1660 Maxwell Mem. II. 296.
Your loving coosigne and servand. … For my much respected coosigne 1689 Melville Corr. 105.
Your faithfull servant and coosigne(b) a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun 56.
The Queen … forced to flee to England, from her cusigne, Elizabeth 1600 Melrose P. 2.
Oure traist cusignne 1630 Maxwell Mem. II. 214.
Ȝouris loveing cwsigne
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"Cousign n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/cousigne>
