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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Boll, n.³ [Erroneous spelling of Bow n.¹, on the analogy of Boll,n.¹ and Boll,n.² and other words with -oll becoming -ow, as coll, holl, roll.]

1. An ox-bow. 1516 Fife Sheriff Ct. 26.
The graith of hir pleuch, that is to say, … bridill, ȝokkis, & bollis

2. A bow for archery. 1538 Treas. Acc. VI. 437.
For vj Inglis bollis send to Striveling to the Kingis grace to gif away 1539 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) No. 10.
Ane boll with ane quaver full of arrowis 1560 Admir. Ct. Bk. 117.
The somme of xviij li. money and ane hand boll worth xxx s.

3. An arch; an arched gateway. 1529 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 395.
Ane substantious brig … with … twa land stalis and seven bollis 1553 Prot. Bk. J. Harlaw 63.
Ane waist hous in the over boll of Edinburgh 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 117.
Woddinsday … they began to mak the vther barrace at the strate of the Wester boll 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 211.
Ane bastalȝe … at Bessie Beaties hous, in the passage to the over boll

b. Attrib. with brig = Bow-brig. 1546 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 242.
That thar remane tua men daylie at the boll brig, keipand the same