What does cowp mean?
Cowp is a dialectal English verb, found mainly in Scots and the Northern counties of England, that means to overturn, tip over, or knock something down — whether an object, a structure, or even a boat. To say that wind 'cowped' a stall is to say it flipped or capsized it. The word carries an earthy, colloquial flavour and belongs firmly to everyday regional speech rather than formal writing; outside Scotland and northern England it is little known and may puzzle readers unfamiliar with northern British vocabulary. It should not be confused with cowpat, a noun for a cow's dropping, despite the shared spelling opening. For writers seeking authentic local colour in dialogue or description set in the North, cowp offers a vivid, characterful alternative to more standard verbs like topple or capsize.
verbChiefly Scottish and Northern English dialect: to overturn, knock over, or capsize something; to cause to fall or turn upside down.
- To overturn, tip over, or capsize something; to knock down.
"The gust of wind nearly cowped the market stall."
"A squall cowped the fishing boat close to the harbour mouth."
"The children cowped the stack of crates playing in the yard."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cowp
Cowp descends from Middle English, ultimately reflecting the same Germanic root as words such as cope, and is closely allied to Scots usage where it remains current. It has long been used in Scots and Northern English to describe knocking things over or capsizing vessels. Its sense development parallels other verbs of striking and overturning inherited through Middle English.
How cowp is actually used
Cowp is chiefly a Scots and Northern English dialect word; it is informal and largely regional, rarely encountered outside those varieties of English.
Easily confused with cowp
A cowpat is a dropping of a cow on the ground, while cowp is a dialect verb meaning to overturn or knock something over.