north. dial. Obs. Also 4 bu. [a. ON. bú farming, a farm, farm stock, stock of cattle on a farm, corresp. to OE., OS. bû dwelling, habitation, OHG. bû dwelling, culture, tillage, building (MHG. bû, bou, mod.G. bau, Du. bouw tillage, building):OTeut. *bôwo-m, f. bū- L. colĕre. Only ON. had the sense live-stock, cattle, whence the north. Eng. and Sc. word.]
1. The stock of cattle on a farm, a herd.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 6744. Qua stelis scep, or ox, or cu, To sla or sell of oþer bu, Oxen fiue for an he pai.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VI. i. 86. Sevin ȝoung stottis that ȝok buir nevir nane, Brocht from the bow [grege]. Ibid., VII. ix. 139. Fyye bowis of ky [armenta].
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (1858), I. 58. For his reward that tyme to haif ane kow, Quhair he thocht best out of the kingis bow.
1568. Bannatyne Poems, 145 (Jam.). A flok or two, A bow of ky.
[1866. Edmondston, Shetl. & Orkney Gloss., 14. Bû, a term used in old deeds to denote cattle.]
2. Comb. bow-house, cattle-house.
1861. C. Innes, Sk. Early Sc. Hist., iii. 375. The bow-house (cattle-house) was rated at so much kain or produce, in butter and cheese.