Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
STOY, n.1 Also stowie; stuoy. A cork-float used to mark the position of sunken fishing-lines or crab-traps (Mry., Bnf., Abd. 1971). [stɔe]w.Sc. 1772 T. Pennant Tour (1794) 314:
Six hundred fathom of long-line, five hundred hooks, and two Stuoy lines (each eighty fathoms long) which are placed at each end of the long lines with buoys at top to mark the place when sunk.Fif. 1884 G. Bruce Reminisc. 175:
The corks — called “partan creel stoys”.Bnff. 1956 J. Wood Seine Fishers ii.:
The bobbing corks of the stowie-marker.Abd. 1968 Abd. Press & Jnl. (9 March):
Partan creels an' stoys.
