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.
BOWSTOCK, n. “A normally developed cabbage” (Bnff.2, Abd.22 1935).Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 21:
A Bastard may be as good as a Bowstock, by a time. Bastard Kail are a Sort of Cabbage that never close; those that close we call Bowstocks; the Meaning is, that a Bastard may prove as worthy a Person, sometimes, as the full begotten.
