Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

POW-, n.³Appar. a variant of Bow, n.⁵, a buoy. In combs.: 1. pow-en(d), the buoy-rope at the far end (from the boat) of a length of fishing-line or nets by which these are suspended in the water (see quot.); also applied to the first net shot after the buoy from a herring-boat (Kcd. 1911 T.S.D.C.); 2. pow-net, id. (Fif., Lth. 1911; Fif. 1966), in Sh. bow-net (Sh. 1966).(1) Sc. 1869 J. G. Bertram Harvest of Sea 305:
The buoy is kept stationary by a line, called the “pow-end”, reaching to the bottom of the water, and having a stone or small anchor fastened to the lower end. To the pow-end is also fastened the fishing-line, which is then paid out as fast as the boat sails.