Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MOUSTEN, v. Also mousen, -in, mowsen. To grow fusty or mouldy (Bwk. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 147). Hence ppl.adj. moustened, mousent, -int, mowsent, of food, etc.: fusty, mouldy, stale (Ib., Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai); of clothes: shabby, moth-eaten (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Also in n.Eng. dial.
[From *moust- as in Mousty, q.v.]