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

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

Quotation dates: 1440, 1520-1678

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Borowis, Borrowis, n. pl.2 Also: borowes, borroweis, -es, borrows, borrois. [Variant of burowis (Bourrowis and) Burrowis, with o for u as in ME. forms: cf. Borow attrib. n.]

1. Boroughs.(a) 1440 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 193.
Commissaris of borowes
1554 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 204.
To sell the samyn … to fremen of borowis and nane vtheris
(b) 1545 Reg. Privy C. I. 15.
Within the sherifdomes and borrowis of Aberdene, Bamff [etc.]
1552 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs I. i.
The prouestis and commissaris of the borrois of this realm
1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 214.
To convene with the commissinaris of borrowis to consult vpoun the weill of the hail borrowis
a1578 Pitsc. I. 15/8.
So lang as thair was na man to punisch … slauchtar in land and borrowis
1595–6 Misc. Spald. C. V. 62.
For ganging throuche the haill borrowis of Scotland, to cite thame to the convention haldine at Abirdene
1623–4 Peebles B. Rec. 412.
Gewine to the man that brocht the schairge about the borroweis
1656 Mun. Irvine II. 259.
William Morisoune the borrowes post
1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. 186.
He was in effect Justice-general over the borrows

2. The inhabitants of boroughs; burgesses.1520 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 195.
Swa that vther borrowis of the realme wald repair thairto siclyk as the inhabitaris of this toun
a1578 Pitsc. I. 173/3.
Wpoun the borrowmure convenitt the haill number of lordis, barrounis and gentillmen and borrowis

3600

dost