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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Maw, v. Also: moaw. P.t. mawit. P.p. mawin, mavin; mawed. [ME. mawe(n (c 1175), meow, mowe, p.t. mew, p.p. mowen, e.m.E. mow(e, mawe, p.t. mew, mowed, p.p. mow(e)n, mowed, OE. máwan, p.t. *méow, p.p. máwen.] To mow.

1. tr. To cut (esp. hay, also corn etc.) with a scythe.In contradistinction to to cut or schere (corn etc.) with a huke.Also in fig. context. 1522 Acta Conc. MS. XXXIII. 4 b.
The wranguis awaytaking … of his hay … of this instant ȝer mawin & wynnyn be him 1546 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) No. iii Franche v. Edgar.
The lord of Waddirlie mawit the hay … the last ȝeir bygane 1609 Garden Garden 78.
If dreadfull Death … with her syth … All which God made shall maw 1618 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II. 100.
For a syth to maw the hors gers at Lithgow 1620 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II. 257.
[That] na persone bring his naig … within the medowis … quhill the hey be mavin a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 113.
Certane stacks and rucks of hay mawin … and stackit upon the saids lands 1669 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I. 256.
To maw win and stack the hay 1670–80 Dauney Anc. Sc. Melodies 56.
What corne maw ȝe?

b. transf. c. fig. To cut down with a sweeping stroke like that of a scythe, to kill indiscriminately or in large numbers.b. c1590 J. Stewart II. 62/189.
As quhan seuerest thuds of Boreas blawis On flurist flours and all thair blossomis mawsc. 1513 Doug. x. ix. 9.
Than … ruschit he in the fight, And all quham he arekis nerrest hand Without reskew dovn mawis with his brand 1626 Garden Worthies 44.
Thow multituds did maw doun with thy mace

2. To cut down the produce of (a meadow etc.) with a scythe. c1420 Wynt. v. 1499 (W).
It is said in commone sawis That mastry mawis the medow doune ay a1568 Bann. MS. 256 b/15.
The medowis mawin 1573 Reg. Privy C. II. 184.
The use of the gerse of the medo quhen it is mawin 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Husbandland.
Sik land as … may be mawed with ane syith a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 615. 1622-6 Bisset I. 313/9.
[He] usurpis aganist me … in sa far as he gart ear, till or maw my landis Ib. 314/17.
Wranguslie … mawand his medowes a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1091. 1661 Nicoll Diary 347.
A pece of corne ground reddy to moaw, and ane syeth lying by 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 135.
Lord Hugh had but 300 of a convay … yet, as the old proverb is, More than master mawes the meadow 1690 Foulis Acc. Bk. 129.
For 5 dayes mawing the boig

3. absol.Also, to mow for (to) another person.(1) c1475 Wall. xi. 102.
Mawand thar was in till a medow fair ix stout carllis 1530 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 44.
To Lowre Marche mawar dailie the hors gyrs … baith Sounday and other bicaus he mawis apoun the samyn a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 751.
Saw thin, and maw thin(2) 1670 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I. 300.
[He promises] to maw or ditch to the said James at six shilling a darke or so mutch a perch