Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1763, 1830-1866
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†SOW, n. Also sowe, sou. [sʌu]
1. A bride's outfit of clothes, a trousseau (ne.Sc. 1887 Jam.).Per. 1830 Per. Advertiser (4 Nov.):
Then the bride's acquaintances all volunteered, and gave her their services for days or weeks, according to their number, or the work to be done — this was called making the sow, in our common phrase.Sc. 1834 Tait's Mag. (Oct.) 601:
The extravagant trousseau, or, as they called it, the Wedding Sow of Mrs Mark Luke.
2. A winding-sheet, a shroud.Sc. 1763 “Theophilus Insulanus” Second Sight 18:
The same girl died of a fever, and as there was no linen in the place but what was unbleached, it was made use of for her sowe.Sc. 1866 R. W. Buchanan London Poems 249:
The span-long body of my sweet first-born, Wrapt in its sowe, upon the howdie's knee.
