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.
YAWIN, n. Also yan; yeun (Cld. 1808 Jam.), yewn (Rs. 1974); ¶une; ya(a)vin (Rs., Inv., Abd. 1974), yawin. Usu. in pl. Sc. forms of Eng. awn. See P.L.D. § 141.2. [′jɑ(w)ɪn; n.Sc. ′jɑvɪn] As in Eng., the beard or bristle of barley or oats (Abd. 1825 Jam.; n.Sc. 1974); the refuse of grain blown away in winnowing.Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 199:
Unes. The husk of oats, as distinguished, from the beard, and also from the mere chaff.Sc. 1847 R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes 154:
Mony rains, mony rowans, Mony rowans, mony yewns. Yewns being light grain.Abd. 1920 G. P. Dunbar Peat Reek 36:
While amo' the cauf an' yaavins the loons gat lots o' play.Mry. 1932 E. Gilbert Spindrift 45:
Licht as yawvins though ye be.Abd. 1951 Abd. Press and Jnl. (22 Feb.):
They prefer grain possessing a good “yaavin'.”
