A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Fous, Fows(se, n. [Var. of Fosse n. Cf. Fowsie, and OF. fousseis, ditch; fousseler, to ditch; foussouer, a hoe (Roquefort).] A ditch. 1456 Hay I. 44/14.
This king … gert mak at Rome the foussis grete and large 1500 Reg. Privy S. I. 64/1.
To big a towr … with power to mak thairapon … bataling, portculacis, fows, etc. 1558 Treas. Acc. X. 440.
To … awaiting upon the keiping of the muld … standing in the fous 1560 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 97.
The doun casting of the dyk and fows biggit be the Franchemen 1639 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 149.
The … connsall of warr … ordaines the haill inhabitantis … to prosequute the work … be casting of fousses and ditches
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"Fous n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Jan 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/fous_n>
