Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WAW, v., n.1 Also wauw: ‡wauve; and erron. wraw (Per. 1895 R. Ford Thistledown 307). [wɑ:, wǫ:; Bch. wɑ:v, P.L.D. § 137.]
I. v. intr. To mew piteously, caterwaul, of a cat, to wail, of an infant (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Ork., ne.Sc. 1973). Also in n.Eng. dial. Vbl.n. wawing. See also Wow, v.Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems 131:
In 't stap't a cat . . . She fuff't and waw't.Dmf. 1822 Scots Mag. (July) 43:
Down louped Nanse Neiven, who wickedly waw'd On the rigging o' Twynholm mill.Slk. 1835 Hogg Tales (1874) 590:
[He] had a bit bloody bairn wawin' on afore him.Bnff. 1887 G. G. Green Gordonhaven 54:
A kin' o' wawin' or something o' that sort oot o' the sea, bit mebbe it wis the win' fuslin' amo' the flagstaff ropes.Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS. xiii.:
The cat got up wi' anidder rumpus and began to wauve out.
II. n. The sound made by a cat or child in distress (ne.Sc. 1973). Also fig. Also in n.Eng. dial.wm.Sc. 1835 Laird of Logan 93:
It's a wee weak i' the wauw, like Barr's cat, that ale o' yours.Slk. 1838 Fraser's Mag. (Oct.) 440:
Something uttered a waw beneath the blankets.
