Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ROWST, v.2, n.2 Also roust. [rʌust]
I. v. 1. tr. To arouse, stir to action, rout out (Ags., Kcb. 1968). Ppl.adj. rowstin, rousing, activating. Also in Eng. dial. and U.S.Sc. 1887 Stevenson Underwoods 92, 107:
But hark! the bells frae nearer clang; To rowst the slaw, their sides they bang . . . Till wi' a rowstin skelp he's ta'en An' shoo'd to bed.Gall. 1899 Gallovidian I. 152:
I shall not soon forget how she used to roust us out of our warm beds.Slg. 1901 R. Buchanan Works 151:
To keep a look-out for steamers and rowst the lockmen.Kcd. 1933 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 248:
Making the porridge and rousting the bairns.
2. intr. To bestir oneself (Ags. 1968).Kcd. 1932 L. G. Gibbon Sunset Song 103:
He'd more need to roust round his own bit byre with a clart.
II. n. A sudden start, a spurt of action (Ags. 1968).m.Sc. 1917 J. Buchan Poems 46:
When sudden wi' a rowst and swish I rase a maist enormous fish.
