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 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Roun,) Rowan, n.² Also: rone. [Cf. Norw. dial. raun, OIcel. reynir rowan tree. ‘The root is prob. *raud-, red’ (SND, s.v. Rowan n.). See also Roddin n.] a. The berry of the mountain ash. b. Once, ? because of association of the rowan with witchcraft, applied to an old woman. c. As a place name element. = Roun-trie n. —a. a1570-86 Maitl. F. 206/14.
My ruby cheikis wes reid as rone a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xli 12.
Als rid as the rone —b. 1603 Philotus 257.
The deuill cum lick that beird auld rowan —c. 1609 Acts IV 443/2.
Rowaneburne