Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Bow, n.³ [Variant of Bull n.², with normal change of ull to ū.] A papal bull or letter, spec. one granting or confirming a presentation to a benefice. 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 223.
Be his bowis war weill cumit hame, To mak seruyce he wald thynk schame 1540 Id. Sat. 3385; Ib. 3401.
Fra that thay be sikker of thair bowis, Thay liue in huirdome and in harlotry 1558-66 Knox I. 274.
Maister Johne Gray … who at that same tyme past to Rome for expeditioun of the bowes of Ross to Maister Henry Sinclare 1571 Sat. P. xxviii. 77.
Quhen thay had rypelie all my bowes [pr. bawes] red, Aganis thair cannoun law thay gaif decreit 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 28.
Than come ane counsellor of Rome, quha brocht fra the Paip and Patriark, with powar to waill all the bowis of the benefices a1578 Pitsc. I. 141/15.
He wald preif it lesum to him, to call the popis bowis that is writtin in the degreis, that he might haue ane hure in absence of his wyffe