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.
Quotation dates: 1567-1699
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Wowing, vbl. n. Also: wowan, wooing. [ME and e.m.E. wowunge (Ancr. R.), wowyng (1310), wowynge (Prompt. Parv.), wooing (1596).] The act of wooing, courtship. Also proverb. a1568 Bannatyne MS 116a/title.
Follows the wowing of the king quhen he wes in Dumfermeling 1603 Philotus 1246.
The wysest will in wowing raif 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. vii (see Waing vbl. n.). 16.. Hist. Kennedy 18.
My Lord … was in wowing of ane dochter of the Eirll of Glenkairnisproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 204.
Byting and scarting is Scots folks wooing a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1317.
Rash doun Robin and rest your wowan a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1509.
There came never luk of lang wowing
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"Wowing vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/wowing_vbl_n>
