Sc. Forms: 5 bowyt, 5–6 bowett, 6–9 bowat, 9 booit, bouat, bouet, buat, 6– bowet. [perh. (as suggested by Way) a. F. boite (in Berry, according to Littré, bouete) box, case; or rather from its med.L. equivalent boeta: cf. ‘abscondet ignem in boeta in secreto’ Du Cange, where see also Lucerna Boeta.]
A small lantern.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 46/1. Bowett, or lanterne, lucerna, lanterna.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech., 121. Sa aucht ye to use the law or command of God, as a Torche, Bowat or Lanterin.
1686. G. Stuart, Joco-Ser. Disc., 61. A twinkling light set … In little Bowet.
1814. Scott, Wav., II. xv. 229. McFarlane’s buat [i.e., the moon].
1864. R. Reid, Old Glasgow, 395. Ladies frequently made use of hand bowets, having plates of thin horn in lieu of glass.
