Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BOUZY, Boozy, Bowzy, Bowsie, adj. [′bu:zi, ′bʌuzi]

1. “Covered with bushes” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.², bouzy, bowsie, boozy; 1923 Watson W.-B., obsol.). Cf. bussy s.v. Buss, n.¹Slk. 1807 Hogg Mountain Bard 154:
In a cottage, poor and nameless, By a little bouzy linn.

2. Bushy; “branchy, spreading” (Lnk. 1825 Jam.²).Sc. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables frae the French 16:
His boozy tail was sae caucht in the snare, To get awa' he had to lea it there!Gall. 1825 Jam.²; Kcb.⁹ 1935:
A branch or tree that is rich in foliage is said to have a boozy top.Slk. 1831 Hogg Wee Housie in Songs 309:
Fareweel, my house and burnie clear, My bourtree bush and bowzy tree!

3. Hairy, rough.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 47:
And ilk yaul-cuted heifer . . . tossing her glaiket head Beneath thy wyme, licks down thy boozy lisk.s.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. s.v. bouzy:
The callant's hair's boozy; it wants clippin'.