a. Also 4–5 sourische, 5 -isshe, -ysshe, 7–8 sowrish (7 -ishe), sowerish. [f. SOUR a. + -ISH.] Somewhat sour, in various senses: a. Of things, taste or smell.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. xii. (Bodl. MS.). Wormod is ful scharpe herbe, hote and druye, ful sourische & bitter.
1477. Norton, Ord. Alch., v. in Ashm. (1652), 74. And so is Sowerish tast called Sapor Pontick.
1598. Bp. Hall, Sat., V. ii. When pleasing Bourdeaux falls unto his lot, Some sourish Rochelle cuts thy thirsting throat.
1617. Moryson, Itin., III. 82. They haue a kind of bread brownish & sowrish, and made with anniseeds.
1693. Evelyn, De la Quint. Compl. Gard., I. 142. The bad Qualities of Plums, are … to have their Pulp tough, mealy, and doughy,… or sharp and sowrish.
1725. Fam. Dict., s.v. Cider, If it be only a little sowerish.
1807. T. Thomson, Chem. (ed. 3), II. 268. Muriatic acid is to be added, with constant stirring,… till the mass tastes a little sourish.
1866. Treas. Bot., 30/1. The sap above referred to is of a sourish taste.
1884. J. Burroughs, Pepacton, 173. Not so dry, and having a sourish smell.
fig. 1647. Trapp, Comm. Rev. xii. 12. 540. Grosse, troubled, brackish, and sowrish doctrine.
b. Of persons (or animals), temper, etc.
1688. Lond. Gaz., No. 2328/4. A Dapple grey Gelding,… sowrish Head, a little hollow backt.
1792. in Ld. Auckland’s Corr. (1861), II. 450. His own sourish disposition being naturally much heightened by such horrid doings.
1889. H. Johnston, Chron. Glenbuckie, xii. 145. He was a worthy, albeit a sourish person.
1897. Daily News, 19 Oct., 6/1. A lovable fellow in contrast with the narrow, sourish northerner.
Comb. 1859. Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, xvii. I believe he meant right at bottom; but … he was sourish-tempered.
Hence Sourishly adv.; Sourishness.
1670. W. Simpson, Hydrol. Ess., 81. I have tasted one near Chesterfield in Derbyshire, which hath a very strong sowrishness.
1719. London & Wise, Compl. Gard., 66. ’Tis very juicy, and has a smack of Sowrishness.
1846. Landor, Exam. Shaks., Wks. II. 266. Master Silas … looked sourishly, and cried aloud.
