A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Woose, n. [ME and e.m.E. woze, wose (both Ayenbite), owze, ouse (both 1587), oose (1601), woose (1638), OE wós, MLG wos(e.] Juice, sap, esp. that obtained from the bark of a tree. See washing woose (Weschyng vbl. n. 10 a (1)) for a further example. Also transf., the vital juices in the body. —1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 97.
They let them [sc. hempen cords] ly in bark woose, which they say keeps the cords the longer from rotting —transf. 1604-31 Craig ii 47.
Pandora faire his woose infect'd allace With leprocie of loathsome cold disdane
