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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

COW, COWE, KOW, n.⁴ A hobgoblin; an object of terror. Known to Cai.⁷ 1940. Cf. bu-kow, s.v. Bo, n.¹, and Worricow. [kʌu]Sc. 1722 W. Hamilton Wallace vii. 190:
With Wallace also, Earl Malcom's gone, . . . And Campbel kind, the good Knight of Lochow, To Suthron still a fearfull grievous cow.Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems II. 243:
And he [Cupid] appear'd to be nae Kow, For a' his Quiver, Wings and Bow.Sc. 1832–46 A. Rodger in Whistle-Binkie (1st Series) 56:
O what a brow has Betty! O sic a cowe is Betty! Her vera glow'r turns sweet to sour, Sae baleful is the power o' Betty.Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems and Songs 264:
She is not fear'd for ony cowe, She'll sit and at it play bow wow.

Hence †cowie, “a species of brownie reputed to have frequented Goranberry, Liddel, a century ago” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. 1864 A. Jeffrey Hist. Rxbsh. IV. 242:
It is not said that ever the cowie was actually seen; he was only heard.

†Combs.: 1. cow-carl, “a bugbear. One who intimidates others” (Dmf. 1825 Jam.²);

2. cowman, (1) = 1 (Sc. 1808 Jam.); (2) “a designation sometimes given by the vulgar to the devil, esp. to frighten children” (Ib.).