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.
BOWSE, BOWCE, v.2, n. [bʌus]
1. v. (1) “To swing out, e.g. of a boat” (Bnff.2, Abd.22 1935; Ags.8 1933); to close-haul (a boat). N.E.D. gives bouse (chiefly naut.), to haul with tackle.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary viii.:
But he's safe now, and here a comes — (for the chair was again lowered, and Sir Arthur made fast in it, without much consciousness on his own part) — here a comes — bowse away, my boys — canny wi' him. Ayr. 1886 J. Meikle Lintie 160:
Noo' Lintie, dry up an' gie a han' to bowse doun this tack.
(2) “To bounce” (Bnff.2, Ags.1 1935).Ags.(D) 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) i.:
Princie began to do a bit jeeg, garrin' Sandy bowse aboot on the front o' the cairt like's he was foo.
2. n. A shaking.Ags. 1914 T.S.D.C. I. s.v. bowse:
“I got a gude bowce” said of a sail on rough water.
