Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BOWSIE, BOUSSIE, adj.1 and n.1 [′bʌuzi, ′bu:si]
1. adj. “Crooked” (Sc. 1808 Jam.); bandy-legged (Ork. 1975).Ags. 1885 Brechin Advertiser (7 July) 3/3:
He was a shade “bowsie” in the limbs.Rnf. 1832–1853 D. Webster in Whistle-Binkie (2nd Series 1842) 100:
Maggy was boussie frae croon to the causey, Lauchie was gizen'd 's an auld girnal bassie.
2. n. “A designation given in ridicule to one who is crooked” (Dmf. 1825 Jam.2).
[O.Fr. boce, Mod.Fr. bosse, hump; Eng. bossy, swelling in a boss; perhaps with contamination from Bow, v.3]
