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.
Quotation dates: 1815-1893, 1949
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DOOZIE, DOUZIE, n. Also doosie, dousie, -y. [′du:zi]
1. A light, a flame, e.g. of a candle, lamp, torch, etc. (Lnk.5 1916); a miner's open lamp (w.Lth. 1948 (per Abd.27), a small oil lamp (Ayr.9 1949); the torch made of tarred broom used in burning the water (see Burn, v., 4) (Dmf. 1925 W. A. Scott in Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 24, dousie). Also attrib.Lnk. 1889 I. Darling Poems 168:
Tearfu' een, big an' bricht, Watchin' the doozie licht, Some heart is wae the nicht.Lnk. 1893 T. Stewart Miners 77:
An' sune oor hero wore a croon, A dizen doozis bleesin' roun' His leather cap.Ayr.9 1949:
That's a wee doosie o a licht.s.Sc. 1859 J. Howden in J. Watson Bards of Border 52:
Nor kinlin' whins, wi' lowin' douzies, To mak' a light.
2. = Dingle-dousie (Ayr.9 1949; Kcb.10 1940, doosie).Kcb. 1815 J. Gerrond Works 198:
Oh, try to please them other ways, With dousy, doll, and rattle.
