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.
Quotation dates: 1748-1932
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VOUST, v., n. Also voost; wowst. [vʌust, vust]
I. v. intr. To boast, brag (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 212, wowst; Sh. 1973, vowst); tr. to boast about, vaunt. Vbl.n. voustin, deriv. n. vouster, a braggart (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis s.v. Woistare).Abd. 1748 R. Forbes Ajax 6:
Great as it is, I need na' voust.Abd. 1794 W. Farquhar Poems 182:
An' for mysel', I sauna voust my kin.Abd. 1801 W. Beattie Parings (1873) 34:
You've sleepit till it's fair daylight, For a' your last night's voustin.Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 22:
A deed I'll voust o' a' my days.Ayr. c.1850 Carrick Anthology (Finlayson 1925) 195:
Whan vousters braggit at a rink.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (7 Aug.):
If you is da wye at dey geng ta wark, his a puir trade ta voost o'.
II. n. A boast, brag. Hence adj., adv. vousty, voostie, boastful(ly), proud(ly).ne.Sc. 1768 in A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 7:
Chiels shall come frae 'yont the Cairn-a-mounth, right vousty, If Ross will be so kind as share in their pint at Drousty.Abd. 1777 R. Forbes Ulysses 28:
For a' your windy voust.Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poetry I. 159:
Ye dames o' Scotland! sik your voust And sik your fame sae sair.Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 33:
A got a richt wowst the day fae Peter Tam aboot's taties.Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Scots Sangs 28:
Virrie, vogie, vaudie, voostie.
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"Voust v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/voust>
