A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Yssen, v. [ON yxna a cow in heat, f. yxni oxen, Norw. dial. yksna to be in heat. Also in the later dial., see SND, s.v. Eisen v.] Of a cow: To come in heat, to be ready to mate. b. p.p. Mated. —a1699 Skene Agric. MS (ed.) 69.
The best way to mak a kow to yssen is that shoe be weill wintered and not hungered —b. p.p. a1699 Skene Agric. MS (ed.) 69.
A forrow kow is a kow that is yssen'd or gives milk anes in the two year a1699 Skene Agric. MS (ed.) 69.
A nuckle kow or a teadie kowe is a kowe that is yssen'd or gives milk everie year
