A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Tar(r)ow, v. [Altered var. of Tar(r)y, v.] intr.
1. To delay, hesitate; to show reluctance (to do something).a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 133.
& gyf thu tarowis it to do … we sal bryne thé a1500 Henr. Fab. 2931.
And it to cun perqueir se thow not tarrow a1568 Bann. MS 93b/16.
He that wes wont to beir the barrowis … now he tarrowis To ryd the he gait by the plewis
2. To display reluctance, disagreement, unwillingness to agree or co-operate.1578–9 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 91.
Euery man is ordanit to haif thair yarde dykis and duris sufficient quhairby na neghbours may tarow lesumlie within xxiiij hours 1583 Sempill Warning iii.
Be trew to vthir and out vith him that tarrows 1585–6 Waus Corr. 348.
Always thaie tarrowis be caus thay gat noth ane fyve yeir tak
b. To react pettishly, display one's aversion to (at, of) (something). Also proverb.1634 Sel. Biog. I 282.
Sometimes … the Lord sayes to me, ‘Tarrow not of this my dealing, and you shall the sooner get better’ 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 240.
It is sin to tarrow at Christ's good meat, and not to eat when He saith, ‘Eat, O well-beloved’proverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1418.
Tak or tarrow
