Obs. [f. SOW sb.1 6.] Sow-metal. Cf. PIG-IRON.
1608. H. Wright, in Lismore Papers, Ser. II. (1887), I. 127. For the remainder of sowe iron nowe Restinge, there is litle or noe barre Iron made thereof.
1645–52. Boate, Ireland’s Nat. Hist. (1860), 115. One Tun whereof [sc. of merchants-iron] is usually made out of a Tun and a half of Sow-Iron.
1677. Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 57. There is yet a most great benefit to the Kingdom in general by the Sow Iron made of the Iron Stone and Roman Cinders in the Forest of Dean.
1709. Hearne, Collect., 15 Feb. (O.H.S.), II. 170. The sow Iron [is] the best in the … world.
