Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1935
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BOWDEN, v. Found gen. as pa.p. or as ppl.adj.
1. (1) To swell, in gen.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 67:
The bowdend clouds they brak, An' pour as out o' buckets o' their back.
(2) To swell from overeating. Applied to men and animals.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 218:
Bowden. To swell; applied commonly to the swelling of cattle from eating too much clover, wet grass, or turnips.Bnff.2 1935Abd. 1826 D. Anderson Poems 19:
I've laid me down; An' like a clever [clover] bowden'd cow Pech't o' the groun'.Abd.(D) 1915 H. Beaton Back o' Benachie 97:
I'm rale bowdent. I doot I hae teen mair nor's gweed for me.
2. With up: to be costive.Bnff.6 1920;
Bowdent, bound up. "He wis a' bowdent up."Abd.9 1935
3. Fig. uses. (1) To swell with grief, hence to weigh down.Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 302:
How wad it bowden you an' me wi' grief, Gif he a mistress took.
(2) To swell with pride.Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas, etc. 58:
Bowden'd wi' pride, he learns a certain twine, An' kicks his head, like yon brown horse o' mine.
