Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1898-1903
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BOSS, Bos, n.4
1. “A bunch or tuft of grass, etc.; a projection; a round mass” (Abd.22, Ayr.8 1935).Per. 1903 H. MacGregor Souter's Lamp ii.:
He was stan'in' on a big boss o' stane.Kcb. 1898 S. R. Crockett Standard Bearer i.:
Every tummock o' heather and boss of tall bent-grass.
2. “The decorations of a woman's cap or bonnet” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., bos).
[O.Sc. bos, boys, a rounded prominence (D.O.S.T.). E.M.E. bosse, Mid.Eng. bos(e), boos, boce, O.Fr. boce (Mod.Fr. bosse), a protuberance, of uncertain origin.]
