Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HOWLD, n.2 Also houl; hould (Sc. 1727 Plan for Improving Fisheries 10; Fif. 1951 P. Smith The Herrin' 19), how(e)l (Abd. 1943 W. S. Forsyth Guff o' Waur 20). Sc. forms of Eng. hold, the hold of a ship (wm.Sc. 1906 H. Foulis Vital Spark viii., Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 134, Sh., Cai., Rs., Abd., Kcd., Ags., Fif. 1957). Also fig. (Mry. 1865 W. H. L. Tester Poems 95, howl). [hʌu(ə)l(d)]
Arg. 1992:The Fame went doon nice an canny, an I jumped an came doon flet some wey on the stagin o the howld. Arg. 1998 Angus Martin The Song of the Quern 54:
An if ye haena got a shot tae haud ye at the quay
fillin endless baskets fae the howld,
as sure as Hell ye'll hae a spell
o mendin nets oot in the freezin cowld. [This form is also found in 17th c. Eng. The diphthongal form suggests a borrowing into Sc. from nautical Eng.]
