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.
CRAW, CRA', n.2 Sc. forms of Eng. crow (see P.L.D. § 34.1).
1. The act of crowing. Used as in Eng. of the cock (Cai.7, Fif.10, Kcb. correspondents 1940), but in Sc. also occas. of other birds, e.g. the crow or rook (Bnff.2, Abd.2 1942). Extended also to human beings to indicate a hoarse voice (in wm.Sc. quot., the broken voice of adolescent youth).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 54:
The earn bleater, or the muirfowls cra', Was like to melt her very heart awa'.wm.Sc. [1835–37] Laird of Logan (1868) 172:
Saf' us a', I would tak' ye to be but young cocks by your roupy craw, lads.
2. A shout, cry, as of children at play (Abd.9 1940). Cf. Eng. crow, the joyful cry of an infant.Lnk. 1882 A. Orr Laigh Flichts 92:
I like to see the bairns at play, And hear their honest hearty craw.
3. Phr.: croose i' the craw, full of self-confident talk (Bnff.2, Abd.2, Fif.10, Lnk.11 1940). Cf. to craw crouse s.v. Crouse.Abd.(D) 1920 C. Murray In the Country Places 6:
Noo roadit for hame there's some I could name Nae freely sae croose i' the craw, For they've wives like mysel' an' the lees we maun tell Blauds the tail o' a nicht for us a'.
