Sc. Obs. [prob. (bū) from an earlier bulle or boule (papal) bull (cf. fow, fou’ = full; pow, pou’ = pull, pool, etc.): for sense cf. F. ‘bulles provisions d’un bénéfice; les bulles d’un évêché, d’une abbaye’ (Littré). See BULL sb.2] The provisions of a benefice granted by the Pope.
1513–75. Diurn. Occurr. (1833), 28. To waill all the bowis of the benefices.
1529. Lyndesay, Complaynt, 223. Be his Bowis war weill cumit hame, To mak seruyce he wald thynk schame. Ibid. (1535), Satyre, 3401. My Lords, how haue ȝe keipit ȝour thrie vows? Indeid, richt weill, till I gat hame my bows.
1566. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. 1846, I. 274. Maister Johne Gray … past to Rome for expeditioun of the bowes of Ross to Maister Henry Sinclare.
