Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Cowan(e, n. [Of obscure origin.] One who builds dry stone walls or dykes. Also attrib. with work. 1599 Montgomery Mem. 240.
That na maister or fallow of craft ressaue ony cowanis to wirk in his societie or cumpany 1647 Douglas Chart. (Reg. H.) 25 Sept.
It sall be leasome to any neighbour of this burgh to bring in cowanes for bigging of dykes with stane and clay 1695 Stitchill Baron C. 116.
Gotrae … is decerned to make payment to James Matthew … for certain cowan work wrought … in harvest last 1704 Corshill Baron Ct. 205.
James Thomsone, younger, cowane in Stewartoune