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.
OWERCAST, v., n. Also owr(e)-, o(u)er-. Pa.t. -coost (Lnk. 1881 D. Thomson Musings 29), -cust; pa.p. -cuissen (Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 19), -cassen (Abd. 1880 J. Skelton Crookit Meg 95). See Cast. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. overcast, to cover, overspread, of the sky, etc.
I. v. 1. To overthrow, throw down. Obs. exc. dial. in Eng. from early 18th c.Gsw. 1877 A. G. Murdoch Laird's Lyke-wake 14:
An' theekit stacks, the bangster blast Had shaken, as 'twad them owre-cast.
2. Of an illness, etc.: to recover from, throw off, get over.Sc. 1788 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 559:
It cost him mony a richt saut tear Or he o'ercust it.Sc. 1820 Scott Monastery xiv.:
[He] never overcast the wound that he took from a buck's horn.Sc. 1903 N.E.D.:
She hes gotten what she'll never owercast.
II. n. 1. An outcast, a waif, an abandoned child.Dmb. 1868 J. Salmon Gowodean 70:
Gipsy ow'rcast . . . found stickin' in the fen, The pookit waif o' some jook-halter crew.
