Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CRAW, CRA', n.² Sc. forms of Eng. crow (see P.L.D. § 34.1).

1. The act of crowing. Used as in Eng. of the cock (Cai.⁷, Fif.¹⁰, Kcb. correspondents 1940), but in Sc. also occas. of other birds, e.g. the crow or rook (Bnff.², Abd.² 1942). Extended also to human beings to indicate a hoarse voice (in wm.Sc. quot., the broken voice of adolescent youth).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 54:
The earn bleater, or the muirfowls cra', Was like to melt her very heart awa'.wm.Sc. [1835–37] Laird of Logan (1868) 172:
Saf' us a', I would tak' ye to be but young cocks by your roupy craw, lads.

2. A shout, cry, as of children at play (Abd.⁹ 1940). Cf. Eng. crow, the joyful cry of an infant.Lnk. 1882 A. Orr Laigh Flichts 92:
I like to see the bairns at play, And hear their honest hearty craw.

3. Phr.: croose i' the craw, full of self-confident talk (Bnff.², Abd.², Fif.¹⁰, Lnk.¹¹ 1940). Cf. to craw crouse s.v. Crouse.Abd.(D) 1920 C. Murray In the Country Places 6:
Noo roadit for hame there's some I could name Nae freely sae croose i' the craw, For they've wives like mysel' an' the lees we maun tell Blauds the tail o' a nicht for us a'.