Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BOWSPLIT, n. “A bowsprit” (Bnff.², Ayr.⁸ 1935). [′bʌusplɪt]Ayr. 1885 J. Meikle Yachting Yarns 88:
A great ship cleared us by little mair than the length o' oor ain bowsplit.