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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sowans, -ens, n. pl. Also: sowannis, -ings, -yndis, suins. Sing. sowen, -in, -ing, sowne. [Gael. subhan water impregnated with the juice of corn-seeds, of which a coagulated kind of food, called sowens, is made (Dwelly). Cf. Ir. súghán sap, juice, moisture (Dineen).]

1. A food made by fermenting the husks or bran of oats, combined with a portion of fine meal, a porridge or flummery made in this fashion. 1582 Elgin Rec. I 168.
She … callit him Reisky caril … [and said] he culd cun sowannis better nor aill fooll swoin carle that he wes 1623 Perth Kirk S. MS 14 May.
It wes the rippillis quhilk he hed as scho knew be his watter thik and quhyte lyk syit sowanis 1643 Justiciary Cases III 601.
The haill wort grow thik lyk sowings and stank lyk gutter glar a1646 Wedderburn Voc. (1709) 10.
Mucilago furfuracea, sowens a1689 Cleland 87.
To … make suins, And drink of barlie, pease or beans 1693 Answ. Presb. Eloq. (1693) 79.
That sowens are good victuals both for body and saul 1697 Cramond Cullen Ann. 71.
Ane lead of oats and two panfulls of sowens a1706 Blythsome Wedding in Watson's Coll. i 10/68.
There will be good lapper'd-milk kebucks, and sowens, and farles, and baps

b. attrib.(1) pl. 1551 Dundee B. Ct. II fol. 59b (12 May).
The said schip ladine with fiftyfoure [lastis] sowyndis beir 1625 Acts V 182/2.
The actis maid anent the pryceis of sownis and Englishe beir to be putt to executiounsing. 1659 Drummond in Misc. Hist. Soc. VII 32.
There came from Andra Lawtheres mill … halfe a bowle of groates; three furlets of sowen seedes [etc.] 1686 Red Bk. Menteith I 415.
Of sowne sids, weill mixt with meall(2) 1703 Old Ross-shire I 128.
Sowen kitt(3) 1569 Inverness Rec. I 180.
Ane sowing [pr. kowing] tube price vj s. viij d. 1627 Edinb. Test. LIV 55b.
Ane sowin seiff pryce xij d.

2. Husks or bran (of wheat). 1707 Acts XI App. 137/2.
The souans and gross of the wheat [sc. from starch-making], which is a wholesome and substantial food, being sold to the poor at 4 d. per pint