Posted by paul on July 26, 2005 at 04:09:19 from 222.7.181.231 user kobegaijin.
andyb
thanks for the "howk" origin.
I belatedly remembered Encarta where I found the definition exactly
as yours.
But I also have a couple that do NOT appear in Encarta. Both used by
Mrs Tyson (and therefore probably local Lake District words) at the
time after Titty has successfully dowsed and camp is to be moved from
the orchard to "Might Have Been". Referring to Mrs Blackett's having
to come all the way to "persuade" her its OK to move camp, she
mentions Mrs B being in a "SCROW" and having the house "THRUTCHED"
up with plasterers and painters. This latter provides a marvellous
picture of total chaos!!
But where from? Sounds like a good old Anglo-Saxon word but.....
Paul