A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Row, v.2 [f. as Norw. dial. rua. Cf. Icel. ryja to pluck. Also in the later dial. of Orkney and Shetland as roo, rue, etc.] tr. To pluck hair from (a horse's tail); to strip (sheep) of their wool by plucking it off them by hand when they are losing their coat. —1603 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 90.
It is tryit … and ordanis that nane row or cut ony manis horse talis fra this furthe 1615 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. in Misc. Maitl. C. II 175.
Anent rowing of sheip … it sall nocht be lesum to no … persones to row [ed. rowing] ony scheip unto the tyme they be lawfullie warnit … to ane competent day 1629 Ib. 205.
That nane tak [gap in MS] nor row sheip on Sonday
