Sc. Also 5 caupe, 8 cowp. [prob. originally the same word as COPE v.2 (which had variant forms coupe, caupe). From sense 1, we pass easily to that of ‘upset or overturn with a shock or impact,’ and so to ‘upset, overturn, tilt’ generally; cf. the sense history of TILT v.]
† 1. intr. To strike; to come to blows, meet in the shock of combat, tilt. Obs. See COPE v.2
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 2059. Thane the comlyche kynge … With a crewelle launce cowpez fulle euene … emange the schortte rybbys.
c. 1400. Rowland & O., 453. In scheldes þay cowped full euen.
2. trans. To overturn, upset, tilt; to empty out, as from a cart or wheelbarrow by suddenly tilting or the like; to toss off (a pot of liquor).
To coup the crans, or creels: Sc. Fishery phrases, also fig. to cause or sustain an upset, be upset, come to grief; in various applications. (See CRAN, CREEL.)
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., 203 (Jam.). The pure woman … coupit up his heilles so that his heid went down.
c. 1610. Sir J. Melvil, Mem. (1735), 399. He is in hazard of being couped and wrecked.
1785. Burns, To J. Lapraik, 13 Sept. ix. But stooks are cowpet wi’ the blast.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., xxxviii. ‘The bairns would be left to … coup ane anither into the fire.’ Ibid. (1818), Hrt. Midl., xlviii. ‘She only spaes fortunes, and does not … coup cadgers’ carts, or ony sort of mischief.’
1832–53. Whistle-binkie (Sc. Songs), Ser. III. 9. Let us coup at our bicker, And toast meikle joy to the twa.
1874. Sunday Mag., 823/2. He just brings a cartload of texts, and cowps them in.
Mod. Sc. The horse ran away and coupit the cart.
3. intr. To be overturned or upset; to fall or tumble over; to capsize.
1785. Burns, Dr. Hornbook, xviii. I drew my scythe in sic a fury, I near-hand cowpit wi’ my hurry.
1824. Scott, Redgauntlet, Let. xi. ‘Ower he cowped as if he had been dead.’
1853. Reade, Chr. Johnstone, 228. ‘She’ll hae coupit a mile wast Inch Keith, an’ the tide rinning aff the island.’
