U.S. colloq. [I swow app. = Is’ vow (I shall vow); cf. SWAN v.2] I swow, I declare; = SWAN v.2
[1790. Mass. Spy, 30 Dec., 1/1. In one village you will hear the phrase ‘I snore,’—in another, ‘I swowgar,’—and in another, ‘I van you, I wunt do it.’]
1844. ‘J. Slick,’ High Life N. York, I. 104. I swow, Miss Miles, you look as harnsome as a full blown rose this morning.
1872. Schele de Vere, Americanisms, 595. I swan, I swad, I swow, I swamp, and I vum, for I swear, and I vow.
