Sc. [Of uncertain origin: it has been referred to F. buie water-vessel; it is possibly a dim. of bowe = BOLL or BOWL.] A low shallow tub or pail; a wooden milk-bowl.
1538. Aberdeen Regist., V. 16 (Jam.). Ane stand, a bowy.
a. 1774. Fergusson, Poems (1789), II. 56 (Jam.). I’ the far nook the bowie briskly reams.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., Introd. 10. [He] makes them into spoons, trenchers, bickers, bowies, and so forth.
1853. G. Johnston, Nat. Hist. E. Border, I. 136. Scrubbers for cleaning milk bowies.
Hence Bowieful.
1805. J. Nicol, Poems, I. 143 (Jam.). Thar bowiefu’s o’ kail fu’ strang.
1818. Hogg, Brownie Bodsb., II. 45 (Jam.). Davie … brought me a hale bowiefu’ o’ milk.
