Cornw. Also towin, tewen, tuan, tûyn. [Cornish towan, Welsh tywyn in same sense.] A coast sand-hill.
1803. Polwhele, Hist. Cornw., I. v. 161. The green hillocks or levels of our downs in the vicinity of the sea. We call them towans.
1859. M. Walcott, Guide Devon & Cornw., 529. The neighbourhood of Hayle is remarkable for sands composed of shells, the towans.
1882. Jago, Cornw. Gloss., Towan, towin, tewen, tuan, or tûyn … are Celtic Cornish words for a dune or heap of sand.
1899. Quiller-Couch, Ship of Stars, iv. He heard a horn blown somewhere high on the towans behind him.
