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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sow(e, v. P.t. sowit, sould. [ME (chiefly north.) sow (Cursor M.).]

1. tr. To hurt, afflict with pain (a person or animal). Also with impersonal subject.(1) pres. 1375 Barb. xvi 395.
And than suld schut hardely Amang thar fayis and sow thaim sar a1400 Leg. S. xxxvii 292.
Thinkand he mycht na payne mare Do til hyme to sow hyme sarep.t. ?1438 Alex. i 2854.
Richt as it war ane baittit bair Quhan the houndis byte sould him sair(2) a1568 Bann. MS 31b/39.
With purpour cleth thay cled my mortall mas, Baith fell and flesch it sowit and maid sair a1568 Bann. MS 34a/45.
Sowand wer thy sydis sair scurgis bla & wan

2. intr. Of a person, his body (side, sidis), wounds, etc.: To smart or ache. Also fig.(1) c1420 Wynt. viii 6236.
Qwhen he a qwhille had prekyd thare And sum off thame had gert sow sare(2) ?1438 Alex. i 2758.
Or thay all be cummin thare The sydis of sum may sowe full sair ?1438 Alex. i 3251.
He that sydis hes gart sow sair c1475 Wall. (1570) xi 468.
Bot we thé have, we sall gar sydis sow 1535 Stewart 13493.
Thair scharpe schutting maid mony syde till sow(3) a1500 Sir Eger 408.
Your wounds they will both glow and gell Sow full sore and be full ill(4) fig. a1570-86 Maitl. F. 245/38.
With sair straikis scho garris me sow