A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
How, interj. Also: howe, hou. [A natural exclamation. See also Haill interj.2 and Hay interj.] A call to attract attention or to incite (espec. sailors) to action. Also quasi-v.a1500 Henr. Fab. 478.
Scho … gaif ane schout: ‘How, murther, hay!’ Ib. 538.
This wedow on hir kennetis cryit, ‘How! Berk, Berrie, [etc.]’ 1513 Doug. iii. viii. 101.
My fader than cryis, ‘How! feris, help away’ Ib. viii. iii. 38.
To thame he callys, ‘Standis, ȝyng men, howe!’ a1540 Freiris Berw. 523.
Ha, how, Hurlybas, now I coniure thé 1535 Stewart 4150.
Sum bad how, and uthir sum bad haill 1549 Compl.40/35.
Ane of the marynalis began to hail and to cry … ‘hou. hou’a1568 Bann. MS. 249 b/39.
Schippis ... Takand thair cours with mony how and hailla1605 Montg. Flyt. 121 (H).
How, horsone, to hell, among the feindes fell 1638 Adamson Muses Thren. 74.
Then we cry'd, ‘How, boatmen come’
