Obs. Forms: 4 suowe, 4–5 swough(e, 5 swowe. [Representing an original *swog(h)-, prob. related to *sweg(h)-, base of ME. sweȝe (see SWAY sb., SWAY v., branch I).] A forcible movement; impetus.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 170. Bot he com with a suowe, þat þe schip to rof.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Man of Law’s T., 198 (Harl. 7334). O firste meuyng cruel firmament With þi diurnal swough [other MSS. sweigh] þat crowdest ay.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 1127. Nere swounes þe kynge for swoughe of his dynttez!
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 548. To the chyld he toke a flyght With an howge swowe.
a. 1440. Sir Eglam., 391. He come to hym wyth a swowe, Hys gode stede undur hym he slowe.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, V. iv. The dragon … come doune with suche a swough and smote the bore.
