north. dial. Obs. Also 4– bu. [a. ON. farming, a farm, farm stock, stock of cattle on a farm, corresp. to OE., OS. dwelling, habitation, OHG. 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

  1.  The stock of cattle on a farm, a herd.

2

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.

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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].

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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.

5

1568.  Bannatyne Poems, 145 (Jam.). A flok or two, A bow of ky.

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[1866.  Edmondston, Shetl. & Orkney Gloss., 14. Bû, a term used in old deeds to denote cattle.]

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  2.  Comb. bow-house, cattle-house.

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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.

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