Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1866, 1935
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FLOWIN, n. Also flowan, flouan. A small quantity of anything in small grains or flakes, as of chaff (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 206), meal or flour (Bnff.2, Abd.2 1945); in pl. light bits of fluff or dust, esp. from scutched flax (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl., flowans, flou-); small particles of butter floating in butter-milk (Ork. 1929 Marw.; Ork.2 1952). Dim. flownie, as of meal sprinkled on a drink of water (Ags. 1825 Jam.). Adj. flownie, flounie, light, downy, as of wool or feathers (Lnk. Ib.); fig. of the mind, trifling, superficial (Id.). [′flʌuən]Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 49:
The gueede wife ga' him a drink o' hame-brown ale wee a flowan o' mehl on't.Sc. 1935 W. Soutar Poems in Sc. 38:
And shog'd the muckle thistle's wud Until the flounrie [sic] draff like snaw Flew up, and owre, and far awa.
