Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Cousin(e, Cowsin(e, Coosin(e, n. Also: cousyn, coussin(e; cou-, cowsein(e, cous(s)en, cowsen, coos(s)en; cousune. [ME. cousyn (14th c.), e.m.E. cousin, cousen, coosen, OF. cousin. Cf. Cosin(e and Cusin(e.] A cousin or kinsman.(a) 1549 Coll. Aberd. & B. 113.
Our dairrest cowsein and tutour 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 204.
Rycht traistie cowsine … we haue receaued this day tuo lettres of youris 1587 Buccleuch Mun. II. 341.
The said Arche Armstrang is my neyr cowsein, and my wyfis brother sone c1590 J. Stewart 169 (heading).
To his weilbelowit cowsin and luifing freind 1619 Colquhoun Chart. 241.
Ȝouir cowsen … has ane sone withe his ladie 1642 Fam. Rose 330.
My cowsine Mr. Archbald Campbell … sal be ready to … gif tham pay 1669 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III. 35.
Right trusty and right weilbeloved cowsines … wee grete yow weill(b) 1543 Douglas Corr. 151.
Rycht traist cousin and counsalour 1577 Ib. 223.
My coussen 1631 Rep. Hist. MSS., Var. Coll. V. 140.
I rest, your ever loving freind and cousein as profest 1636 Maxwell Mem. II. 262.
Your honouris most obliged coussine and servant, A. Hamilton 1646 Red Bk. Menteith II. 160.
For my loving cousine, William Grahame of Polder 1681 Ib. 193.
Your Lordships ewer affectionat cousune(c) 1629 Annandale Corr. 283.
To the right honorabill my louinge coosin Ib.
I remain your louinge coosine to serue youe 1633 Maxwell Mem. II. 249.
I rest, your loveinge coossen to doe yow service 1676 Echt-Forbes Chart. 151.
My dear coosine and comerad 1689 Melville Corr. 114.
Your coosen, Captain Hugh Makdonell