Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡BAW(W)AW, n.¹ A side-glance of contempt or scorn. Also used attrib.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
Bawaw. An oblique look, implying contempt or scorn.Sc.(E) 1926 “H. M'Diarmid” Drunk Man . . . Thistle 22:
A wumman whiles a bawaw gi'es That clean abaws him gin he sees.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 76:
But she was shey, and held her head askew . . . Look'd at him with the bawaw o' her eye, As drum an' dorty, as young miss wad be To country Jock, that needs wad hae a kiss.Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Gloss. 3:
Bawwaw of her ee, asquint. Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 57:
Ye notie'd, Glennie, yon dry ba' waw cast.