A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1500-1513, 1604-1606
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(Brounie,) Brownie, Brunie, n. [f. Broun a.] The benevolent sprite or goblin so called. c1500 Rowll Cursing 102.
Fyremouth and Tutivillus, And Browny als that can play kow Behind the claith with mony mow 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 273.
Me lyst … with na bogill nor browny to debait 1513 Ib. vi. Prol. 118.
Of browneis and of bogillis ful [is] this buke a1605 Montg. Flyt. 661.
Leane boggles, brownies, gyr-carlings and gaists 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xii. 16.
Vnder the name of Lares, who in our tong are Brunies
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"Brounie n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/brounie>
