Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

SOWDAN, n. Also sowdian, soudien in sense 2. [′sʌud(ɪ)ən]

1. A term of abuse (Ork. 1929 Marw.); specif., a tyrannical, cantankerous person (Abd. 1961, obsol.).

2. A big clumsy corpulent person (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), soudien, s.v. sodi, 1914 Angus Gl.; I.Sc. 1971).Sh. 1836 Gentleman's Mag. II. 592:
Fur aa dat kleaz, itt wid a leepit a Sowdian aff o' da benz.