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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.

Govis, Gowis, n. pl.  Also: gowes. [Pl. of Gove n. Cf. Goif, Gouchf.] A device of the nature of, or the same as, a pillory for securing persons as a public punishment for various offences.(a) 1520 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 201.
That … the mercat for the selling of aitis and hors corne be halden at the gouis aboue the Tolbuith stair 1549 Elgin Rec. I. 100.
The persoun that beis fundin sua [doing] to stand xxiiij houris in the govis 1584 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 109.
The baillies … ordanis hir vpoun Monounday nixtocum to be presentit to the govis and to the brankis to be put in her mowth 1589 Ib. 138.
That ane pair joges be sett vp vpoun the goves, gangand up with thrie or four fut stepis 1594 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 93.
The said Issobell to be apprehendit and hir craig to be put in the govis, thairin to remain for the space of thrie houris 1600 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 135.
The brethrein of the kirk thinkis meit that the bailleis put hir in the brankis … , with certificatione gif the lyk be fund in hir heirafter, that the bailleis wil be desyrit to put hir in the govis 1608 Ib. 450.
Thay salbe brankit thrugh the toun, put in the govis and baneist 1636 Elgin Rec. II. 231.
They are put to ward till they set caution to stand in the govis Setterday nixt(b) c 1540 Aberd. B. Rec. (MS.) XVI. (J).
Ordanit to stand in the gowis quhill sax houris at ewin 1548 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 141.
That thai sall be putt in to the govis and thar haldin sex houris, and ordanit the thesaurer to big the samyn gowis to the effect foresaid 1563 Inverness B. Rec. I. 97.
Catheryne Skynner … is adjugit in admerciament for … injurious wordis … and ordanit to be put in the gowis induring the prowestis will 1624 Elgin Rec. II. 184.
Jeane Kay is ordenit to sitt on hir kneis at the gowis and aske the said Johne pardon, and gif scho offend heireftir scho sall be punisched be standing in the gowes 1642 Rec. Old Aberd. II. 17.
If she was ever founde in any sick faut againe to be punished in sackcloth … , and therefter to be put in the goweis or joggs 1663 Cramond Speymouth Ch. 29.
They were sharply reproved and threatened with the gowes