A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Spavin, n. Also: spaving, spave(i)n, speven, spiven. [Late ME and e.m.E. spavayne (1426), spaveyne (Prompt. Parv.), spauen (1523), spavin (1594), OF espavain (14th c. in Littré).] Spavin, a disease of horses consisting of a bony tumour formed on the hock; the tumour itself. Also transf. See also Bane-spavin n.1550 Knox III 65.
To pray that … oure oxen suld not tak the lowing ill, oure horse the spavin or fersie 1580 Edinb. Test. IX 11.
Ane blak meir of tuelf ȝeir auld with the spaving price viij li. a1605 Montg.
Flyt. in Watson's Coll. iii 13/304.
Spewen a1585 Polwart Flyt. 723 (T).
Illis … to ane horse perteining … Thow puttis the spaven [H. spavein] in the former spauld, Quhilk vsis in the hinder hocht to be c1653 Irvine Mun. II 254.
The greay neag that had the spiventransf. c1500 Rowll Cursing 52 (B).
Ane of thir infirmeteis … The pokkis the spaving in the hals … Mott fall vpoun thair kankart cors … Till thay remember or they de Repentand thair iniquitie
