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: 1837-1871
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GOUCH, n., int. Also goch. [gux, gox].
I. n. A powerful exhalation, a gasp.s.Sc. 1837 Wilson's Tales of the Borders III. 380:
Death hasna already blawn the witherin gouch o' his breath on't.s.Sc. 1838 Wilson's Tales of the Borders V. 70:
The gouch o' his breath comes owre me like the reek o' a snuffed-out candle.
II. int. The sound made by such an exhalation, owch!Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb iv.:
Tam uttered an involuntary "Go-ch!" with considerable emphasis.
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"Gouch n., interj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gouch>
