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.
Cowhuby(e, Cohubie, n. Also: kouhuby, cohoobie, coohoobee, pl. kou-, cowhubeis. [Of obscure origin.] App. , a person of weak or trifling character.c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxv. 58.
He gaiff to hir ane apille rubye; Quod scho, ‘Gramercye! my sweit cowhubye’ 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 86.
Knychtis ar kouhubeis [R. cowhubyis], and commonys plukkyt crawis 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 381.
Nor to fantastyke fenȝeit flatteraris, … Off cowhubeis, nor ȝit of clatterraris 1558 Knox I. 262.
Fra France we thought to have gottin a Rooby, And yit is he nothing but a cowhuby a1585 Polwart Flyt. 637 (T).
Ane claverand cohubie [v.r. cohoobie, coohoobee] that crakis of the farie
