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 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Jow, v. [Of uncertain origin, but perh. imitative.Another suggestion is ME. and e.m.E. joll (c 1470), geoll, cholle (c 1430), to dash (one's head) against, to strike, knock (a head or a ball), appar. f. ME. jol(le, cholle a head, and with usual Sc. -ow for -oll.Mod. Sc. and north. Eng. dialects have jow, and Eng. dialects generally, jowl, joll, jawl, in the senses ‘to toll (a bell)’ and ‘to knock (a head, etc.)’.]

a. tr. To ring or toll (a bell). b. intr. Of a bell: To toll or ring. 1530 Aberd. B. Rec. I. Pref. xxxviii.
And quhowsone the watch in the tolbuitht heiris him [sc. the bell-ringer in the church steeple] knelland continuall and fast, than he sall jow the comond bell, ay and quhill the toune be in thair geir 1558-66 Knox I. 46.
The said Frear Alexander … without delay he returned to Sanctandrose, caused immediatlie to jow the bell, and to give significatioun that he wald preach 1568 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 366.
That the sacrister … sall caus jow the greit bell … at four hours in the morning 1572 Peebles B. Rec. 342.
The haill inhahitantis … to be in ane reddynes, quhen the swische strykis or commoun bell jowis