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.
Burrowstoun, n. Also: burrowis-, bur(r)ous-, burros-. [Later variant of Borowstoun. The origin of the s is not clear.] A borough.1549 Compl. 45/13.
Al vthir staitis … that remanis in tryumphand citeis and burroustounis Ib. 87/3.
Dayly destroyand ȝour feildis, villagis and buroustounis 1558 Maitland Maitl. F. xvi. 19.
All burrowis tounis, euerilk man ȝow prayis To mak bain fyris, fairseis and clerk playis 1572 Sat. P. xxxiii. 266.
Quhair sic wer wont brauely to mak tham bowne With lord or laird to ryde to burrowis towne 1586 Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 659.
That, in the cheife burrowstounes, ther be teaching ordinar 4 tymes in the weik a 1595 Skene Celtic Sc. III. 439.
Boyd is aucht mile lang, … quhairin stands ane great burrowstown callit Rosa
