A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1544-1614
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Gabion, -ioun, n. Also: gabyon; gaveon. [e.m.E. gabbion (1579), gabion, F. gabion, from It. gabbione.] A wicker basket filled with earth used in fortification. 1544 Treasurer's Accounts VIII. 283.
For making of certane gabionis to be set befor the said artalȝe 1547 Ib. IX. 100.
To certane pure men that keist faill to the gabiounes upoun the forewall of the castell 1558-66 Knox I. 121.
Thei lying without trinche or gabioun war exponed to the force of the hole ordinance of the said castell 1565 Reg. Privy C. I. 360.
Sum of thair tymmer to be stokkis, quhelis, and smal wod to be gaveons a1578 Pitsc. II. 301/30.
The Inglis … remanit thair quhill gabiounis … wer maid fornens the castell 1614 Melrose P. 148.
The cannones being plantit, and gabiounes sett at the eistend of the kirkyaird
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"Gabion n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/gabion>
