gowpen

noun

gow·​pen

ˈgəu̇pən

plural -s

1

chiefly Scottish

a

: the hollow of two hands held together as if forming a bowl

b

or less commonly gowpenful

-ˌfü(l)

plural gowpenfuls : a double handful

gathered a gowpenful of flinty arrowheads

—John Service

2

Scots law : the perquisite of meal from tenants by thirlage that is allowed to a miller's servant

Word History

Etymology

Middle English goupyne, from Old Norse gaupn (in plural only) cupped hand; akin to Old High German coufana hand, Old English gēap open, wide, gōma palate

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