Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1896-1925
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BOUCH, Bowch, Booch, Boch, Bowhh, n.1 and v. [bʌux, bux, bɔx]
1. n.
(1) "One of a curr-dog's barks" (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 87; Kcb.9 1935, bowch).
(2) Fig. "A bully, quasi one who barks" (Kcb. 1935 (per Kcb.1)).
2. v.
(1) "To bark in a suppressed manner, frequently with berk" (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 248:
The bawties bowhh't at the hole.Rxb.(D) 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes an Knowes 1:
The road was thrang . . . wui nurrin teikes snackin an yowfin an boochin.
(2) "To cough" (Bnff.2, Edb.1, e.Dmf.2 1935; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Ags.2 1935 gives the form boch.Abd.(D) 1915 H. Beaton Back o' Benachie 66:
Fa wud ken bit he mith begin bouchin' an' spuin' an' sic a spleetrich [mess] afore ye got it cleaned.Ags. 1896 A. Blair Rantin Robin and Marget 149:
She was juist sittin at the cheek o' the fire booch, boochyin straucht forrit.
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"Bouch n.1, v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bouch_n1_v>
