Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

YOWF, v., n., adv. Also yowff, youf(f); yuff, and reduplic. forms youf-youf. [jʌuf]

I. v. To bark, of a dog (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai; Sh., n., m. and s.Sc. 1974). Ppl.adj. yowffin, much given to barking (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 213).Edb. 1772 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 83:
My colley, Ringie, youf'd an' yowl'd a' night.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 41:
Cerebus, though but just whelpit, Did stan' an' yuff.Kcd. 1819 J. Burness Plays, etc. 137:
The dog did loudly yowff an' bark.Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 95:
The yowffin' dog.Bwk. 1897 R. M. Calder Poems 111:
Whene'er he took his staff or plaid, He'd youff wi' glee.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 1:
Nurrin teikes snackin an yowfin an boochin at ther cluits.ne.Sc. 1957 Mearns Leader (10 May):
Dogs yowft an' barkit a'wye roun' aboot.

II. n. A bark, barking sound (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 213, ‘a softer sound than youp'; Sh., n., m. and s.Sc. 1974).Lnk. 1808 W. Watson Poems 19:
Syne colly answers wi' a youf.Ayr. 1868 A. McKay Ingleside 180:
Wi' youf or bark.Hdg. 1908 J. Lumsden Th' Loudons 88:
As a lap-dog's youff to thunder.

III. adv. With barking, bow-wow-wow.Sc. 1842 J. Wilson Christopher North I. 18:
Youf-youf-youf go the terriers.