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.
Spaw, n. Also: (Spaa, Spae). [e.m.E. Spa (1565), Spau (1590), spaw (1610), f. Spa in Belgium.] A medicinal spring or well. Also in the place-name Wall (= Well) of Spaa. —1661 Gordon's Aberd. 10.
[This spring is knowne by the name of the wall of Spaa … so called, I suppose, becaus it resembles in its taste and vertues the waters of Spaa in the bishoprick of Leige; … Yet in some things they differ; for Spaa in Aberdeen is actuallie cold [etc.] 1670 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 264.]
That medicinall wall at the Womanhill, commonly called the Wall of Spae —1661 Prince of Tartaria Voyage Cowper in Fife 4.
The wholsome waters of the Spaw, nigh Kinghorn
