Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ROWST, v.1, n.1 Also roust; ¶roost (Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 107). [rʌust]
I. v. 1. To roar, shout, bellow (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis; n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Ags. 1968). Hence rousting, vbl.n., roaring, shouting (Id.); ppl.adj., roaring, noisy, vociferous; of a fire: blazing, roaring (Fif. 1968); of weather: blustery, windy (Ags., Fif. 1968). Agent n. rowster, a tempest, blizzard (Abd. 1968); a cow or bull.Sc. 1747 Lyon in Mourning (S.H.S.) II. 220:
Ground your arms and rowst no more.Abd. p.1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shep. MS. 170:
A wench that kept the cows then answer made "North the west flaik, as I my rousters fed, I saw them hors'd behind two Gentlemen."Sc. 1793 “Tam Thrum” Look before ye Loup 35:
Come then, Charles, let's hae God save the King, an' I'll roust a bass to ye.Sc. 1820 A. Sutherland St Kathleen III. iv.:
Wha's that rousting for Jim Niel?Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 119:
At's mou' he had a trumpet braw, Whairwi' he 'gan to roust and blaw.Abd. 1832 W. Scott Poems 182:
The nout were roustin' like to feight.Ags. 1879 J. Guthrie Poems 25:
The cattle roustin' at the style's nae richt.Kcd. 1933 L. G. Gibbon Cloud Howe (1937) 26:
A rousting night in December's close.
2. Transf. to brag, boast, bluster (Abd. 1968).
II. n. A roar, bellow or loud penetrating noise, the act of roaring or bellowing (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Ags. 1968). Deriv. rousty, having a loud hoarse voice (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis, 1808 Jam.).Abd. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 93:
Horse-Jockies thro' the Shoo-gate rant, Wi' monie a roust an' rair.Ags. 1815 G. Beattie Poems (1882) 182:
To ilk bellow, roust, and roar.Abd.4 1928:
Heard in connection with a foghorn: “Sic a rowst”.
