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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†BOWSAN, adj. Applied to a drink of liquor: sufficient to make one drunk, hence very big.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 56:
Ye wha can tak a bowsan drink, Whan that your purses hae the clink.

[Prob. the same as obs. Eng. bowse, to swill, Mod.Eng. booze.]

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