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.

Cowp, Coup(e, v.² Also: colp, coulp. [ME. coupe (rare), ON. kaupa.]

1. tr. To buy; to buy and sell; to trade in. 1540 Reg. Great S. 494/2.
Litteras … mandando … quod eorum nullus emeret, foirsthaw, regrait nec cowp lanam, coria, pelles [etc.] 1572 Maitl. Q. lxii. 37.
That … ane nobill man … Sould have bene coulpit twyise, first be ane theif, Then be Lochlevin 1577 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 388.
That his Grace will putt ordour to sick as receives benefices, and therafter coupes them 1581 Elgin Rec. I. 162.
That na flescher nor vther persone cowp fysche … mair nor staikis thair awin hous c1610 Melvill Mem. 2.
How that he had been couped from hand to hand 1636 Ann. Banff I. 74.
That wtheris persones … coupis and byis sic lyme as happinis to cum to the said burghe 1656 Baillie III. 323.
[The minister] made almost a trade of couping horses 1662 Peebles B. Rec. II. 50.
The inhabitantes who ingrosses and coupes the said sort of victuall privately

2. To give or hand over by sale. 1597 Maxwell Mem. II. 189.
That his Lordship cowp nocht ovir my gudesonis waird in the hands of my Lord Maxwell 1628 Reg. Privy C. Ser. II. 636.
Andro Ker … sauld and coupit us over as sogeris to Capitane Touris