v. Sc. Also 8–9 sowf, 9 souf(f. [Later Sc. form of SOLF v. See also SOWTH v.] trans. To sing, hum or whistle (a tune) softly.
1719. Ramsay, To Arbuckle, 20. [I] Bang’d up my … whistle, To sowf ye o’er a short epistle. Ibid. (1728), Friends in Ireland, 13. Sowfing Sonnets on the Lasses.
1819. R. Gall, Poems, 48. The Scotian Muse … Wad lead you … Wi her upo’ the knowe to lean An’ souf a sang.
1850. W. Jamie, Stray Effusions, 194. To … sowff aloud some merry air.
1871. W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb (1873), 20. [He] began … to ‘sowff’ over ‘My love she’s but a lassie yet.’
