Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†SCOWF, n. Also scouff. [skʌuf]

1. A blustering fellow (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); blustering empty talk, braggadocio (Id.)

2. A male flirt, a philanderer; “a giddy young fellow who runs from one sweetheart to another” (Jam.).s.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
A scouff amang the lasses.s.Sc. 1898 E. Hamilton Mawkin ix.:
To even any light scouff of a ravisher with such a man.