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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Wodwys, -wis, n. (pl.). [ME and e.m.E. wodwos(e (both 14th c.), wodewos(e (1355), wodewese (1381), wodewyse (?a1400), wodys (1555), OE wudewása; Wod(e n. woods or Wod(e adj. wild, the second element ? f. or influenced by Wy n. a man.] a. A wild man, an indigenous or native person from a remote location; in Henr. Fab. regarded as an animal. b. Such a figure occurring in heraldry, a heraldic supporter. —a. 1460 Hay Alex. 11391.
Alexander gatt wodwis [pr. wodwiȝ] ten or twelf And spak with thame and feit thame … Him for to gide throw the desertis of Ynde 1460 Hay Alex. 11421.
The wodwis [pr. wodwiȝ] … was routh men and hary all-attoure And in thare hand thai bare ilkane ane stoure Thai war all nakit with hingand taty hare Thare feitt war s[m]eith with hede and handis bare Thai war richt mekill men of sembly mak 1460 Hay Alex. 11438.
Ane rusty cumpaney Of wodwis [pr. wodwiȝ] sic as of before spak I Be liklynes sic as the godis war Without clething all coverit oure with hare … Thai war agil … And quhan men … turnit the back on thame Thay … on hors behind thame clame. Thay had tuskis and clukis … And raif and werryit men [etc.] a1500 Henr. Fab. 902.
The wodwys, vildcat, and the wild wolfyne —b. c1450-2 Howlat 616 (A).
Als kepit ilk armes … The rouch wodwys wyld that bastonnis bare; Our growin grysly and growe grym