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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1886-1961

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TOWROW, n., v. [′tʌu′rʌu]

I. n. A noisy uproar, rumpus, disturbance (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Sh., Bnff., Ags. 1972). Also in coll. or dial. Eng.Sc. 1886 Stevenson Kidnapped iv.:
A blinding flash . . . a great tow-row of thunder.
Kcb. 1894 Crockett Raiders i.:
A great tow-row of laughter.

II. v. 1. To rattle, rumble, make a loud noisy disturbance (Sh. 1972). Also in coll or dial. Eng. Ppl.adj. towrowed, noisy, obstreperous.em.Sc. 1926 H. Hendry Poems 91:
The Auld-Kirk bell has stopped! I like it best, When its wee tow-rowed clapper tak's a rest.

2. To toss and tumble about in the sea, to be at the mercy of the waves (Sh. 1972). Ppl.adj. tow-rowed, buffeted by the sea.Sh. 1961 New Shetlander No. 58. 12:
Da logs frae da wrack tow-rowed aroond da skerries.

[Reduplic. form based on row, a fracas, but phs. Also, esp. in II. 2., conflated with Row, v.1]

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