sowens

American  

[soh-uhnz, soo-] / ˈsoʊ ənz, ˈsu- /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. porridge made from oat bran or husks that have been soaked in water, slightly fermented, and then boiled.

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sowens British  

/ ˈsuː-, ˈsəʊənz /

noun

1. a pudding made from oatmeal husks steeped and boiled

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Etymology

Origin of sowens

1575–85; < Scots Gaelic sùghan, derivative of sùgh sap

Example Sentences

Scarcely had he swallowed his twelve o'clock dinner of sowens and oatcake, when he wanted to go and dress himself for his approaching visit.

From Malcolm by MacDonald, George

The authorities were therefore compelled to devise some new food, and the resourceful genius of a Scotchman introduced a porridge called "sowens" to the Colonel's notice.

From South African Memories Social, Warlike & Sporting from Diaries Written at the Time by Wilson, Sarah Isabella Augusta, Lady

The Indulgence is but a dish of sowens with a muzzle thereafter, to make us for ever dumb dogs that will not bark.

From The Men of the Moss-Hags Being a history of adventure taken from the papers of William Gordon of Earlstoun in Galloway by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

Our sowens are ill sour'd, ill seil'd, ill sauted, ill sodden, thin, an' little o' them.

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander

He can read ony language back or forrit, up or doon, as easy as suppin' sowens.

From The Lilac Sunbonnet by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)