Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†VAAN, adj. Also vaun. Used only adv. in phr. to come vaan (o), esp. in fishermen's language: to fail (to get), to miss, to lose, to come short (of).Sh. 1814 Irvine MSS.:
When the tide falls they say da Ströem is come vaun.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 241:
Whin da men o' Braken cam' vaan o' dir tows.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I cam' van o' a fish.