Obs. [imitative of the sound; cf. BAUGH and BOW-WOW.]

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  1.  The barking of a dog.

2

1576.  Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 233. A Dogs barking that soundeth nothing els—but Baw waw waw.

3

  2.  An exclamation of contempt.

4

1599.  Nashe, Lent. Stuffe, 59. Bawwaw, quoth Bagshaw.

5

c. 1600[?].  Distr. Emperor, V. iii. in Old Pl. (1884), III. 247. Baw, waw, waw! Sir, trouble not your selfe.

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  b.  attrib. quasi-adj. Vainly or contemptibly noisy.

7

1570.  Levins, Manip., 45. Bawwawe spoken of one, that talketh to no purpose.

8

1583.  Stanyhurst, Æneis, IV. (Arb.), 108. Ne on baw-vaw tromperye descant.

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