A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Trowan(e, Truand, -ant, n. and adj. [ME and e.m.E. truant (c1290), trowan (c1425), truand (a1548), OF truant, F. truand.]
A. noun. 1. A rogue, rascal, knave.a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 513.
Cankrit Caym, tryit trowane … monstir of all men 1603 Philotus 258 (see Trottibus n.).
Trowane
2. One who absents himself, a truant. Also fig.1535 Stewart 13242.
Quhilk all thair tyme wer trowanis at the scuill 1674 Dundee B. Laws 61.
That if any be found … trowans from the school … they be publickly whipedfig. 1629 Boyd Last B. (1629) 377.
Too manie soules bee truands from God
B. adj. 1. Trivial, trite.1558-66 Knox II 141.
We should nott wonder albeit that the auld trowane verse be trew, Patrem sequitar sua proles
2. Feigned, affected.1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 349.
Presumption is ever whole at the heart, and hath but the truant sickness, and groaneth only for the fashion
