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 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Wo(w)bat, Wolbet, Volbet, n. [ME and e.m.E. welbode (15th c.), wolle bode (1483), wolbede (16th c.), oubut (1608), wooll-bead (1601).] A hairy caterpillar, applied pejoratively to a person. Also attrib. — a1568 Scott xxxiv 94.
Swa ladeis will nocht sounȝe With waistit wowbattis rottin a1605 Montg. Flyt. 262 (T).
Wanschaippin wowbat [H. wolbet], of the weirdis invyit a1585 Polwart Flyt. 601 (H).
Ane warloche, ane warwoolffe, ane volbet but hair —attrib. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 89.
Ane wallidrag, ane worme, ane auld wobat carle