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.
CHAWS, Chaas, n.pl. Also hyaws. [h(j)ɑ:z, ʃa:z]
1. The hawthorn, Cratægus oxyacantha (Mry. 1839 G. Gordon Flora of Mry. 17, chaws; Mry.1 1925, chaas).
2. The fruit of the hawthorn; haws (Mry. 1886 B. and H. 97, chaws).
[Corruption of Eng. haw(s), the (fruit of the) hawthorn, through *hyaws; cf. Chauve, adj., and Hyauve.]
