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.
Howboy, n. [e.m.E. (1579), var. of hauthoy (1575).] A hautboy; a player on this. (Cf. Hewboy.) —1538 Treas. Acc. VII. 15.
[Paid] to his howboyes c1590 Fowler II. 188/6.
The melodious noyse of trumpets and howboyes 1607 Edinb. B. Rec. VI. 26.
The musicall instruments of schalmes, howboyes and sicklyk
