Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
COWSTICK, n. and adj. Sc. form of Eng. caustic. Known to Bnff.2, Abd.9, Fif.10 1941. [′kʌustɪk]
1. n.Ags.17 1940:
He pit cowstick on my warts.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 117:
He rummled my hass wi' a spune-shank and sweishtered my throat wi' cowstick!
2. adj.Ib.:
James Blameit . . . was so cowstick in his dissection of them . . . that I have burned or torn up the feck of them langsyne.