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.
Culroun, n. Also: culrun, -ron, cullurune. [Of obscure origin.] A base person; a rascal. Also attrib. with carl, kevel, knaif, quene.c1500-c1512 Dunb. lx. 16.
Cowkin kenseis and culroun kewellis 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 43.
The cadgyar … Calland the colȝar a knafe and culron ful qweir 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1940 (B).
Methink this culroun cairle begynnis to crak Ib. 4145.
A culroun quene, a laithly lurdane 1540 Knox I. 75.
Be Thomas your brother at command, A cullurune [v.r. culrun] kythed throw many a land a1568 Bann. MS. 64 b/28.
For hichtines the culroun dois misken His awin maister als weill as vthir men a1500 Peblis to Play 165.
He said, ‘quhair is ȝon culroun knaif?’