A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1513, 1584-1681
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Jaw, n. Also : ja. [Of unknown origin (but some association with Jawp seems likely). Also in later Sc. and north. Eng. dialect. Cf. Jaw v.] A dashing or breaking wave, a breaker. Also fig.1513 Doug. I. iii. 21.
Heich as a hill the jaw of watir brak 1513 Ib. viii. i. 96.
I am god Tybris … Quhilk … with mony jawp and jaw Bettis thir brays, schawing the bankis dovn a1585 Maitland Quarto MS lxv. 33.
Hir trimbling teiris did represent the iawis Of Neptunis raige quhilk rasit bene by raine c1590 J. Stewart 33/129.
Both Egeon and Doris did thair forse … To cause the iaws thair tumbling cours inclyn c1590 Ib. 62/189; c1590 Ib. 132/12.
Lyk ane rock … Not caring force of wattrie bowdin iaws 1606 Rollock Lect. 1 Thess. (1606) 118.
The sey when it flowes on a rock, immediatlie the jaw returnes backe againe in the sey 1662 A. Brodie Diary 268.
I found myself much shaken with thes jaws that go over our heads 1666–7 Blakhall Narr. 155.
The first jaw of brocken water that shal fal upon the shippe wil cleave her in two 1681 J. Brodie Diary 448.
The boat … was caried doun by the force of the speat and the jaesfig. 1626 Garden Worthies 121.
Long with the jaws of nightbour jarrs I justed, And in a warrs onkindlie wau's was volv'd
