Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BOWDY, adj. “Having bandy legs” (centr.–w.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Bnff., Fif., Edb., Dmf., Rxb. 2000s). Also known to Edb.7 1935.
Combs.: (1) bowdy-kite, “(a) a small corpulent person, (b) an impudent fellow” (s., centr.Rxb. Ib.); (2) bowdy-leggit, “having bandy legs” (Rxb. Ib.); (3) bowdy-legs, “(derivisely) a bandy-legged person” (centr.Rxb. Ib.).
[From bow'd s.v. Bow, v.3, 1.]