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: 1500-1560
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Cowclink, n. Also: -clynk; kow-, coclink. [Of obscure formation.] A courtesan. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lv. 26.
I saw cowclinkis [M. coclinkis] me besyd, The ȝoung men to thair howses gyd 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1315 (B).
This is ane grit dispyt, I think, For to ressaif sic ane cowclynk [Ch. kow clink] 1540 Ib. 3656.
This halie priores is turned into ane cowclink 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 6411.
Thow common curst cowclink 1560 Ib. Epil. 45.
Amang cowclinkis and commoun hures
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"Cowclink n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/cowclink>
