▪ I. † goss1 Sc. Obs.
[? Identical with gosse2, short for gossip. Cf. gossy.]
(See quot. 1710.)
| 1710 Ruddiman Douglas's æneis Gloss. s.v. Goddis apis, God's goss, a silly, but good natured man. 1721 Ramsay Elegy P. Birnie 95 Soon as he wan within the closs, He dously drew in Mair gear fra ilka gentle goss Than bought a new ane. |
▪ II. goss2 slang.
(gɒs)
[Short for gossamer.]
A hat.
| 1848 Man in Moon Feb. 83 When you carry off a 26s. beaver be careful to leave a 4s. 9d. goss in its stead. |
▪ III. goss3 slang.
(gɒs)
[Origin unknown.]
to give, get goss: to give, receive punishment.
| 1840 Daily Picayune (New Orleans) 29 July 2/4 Six victims to report this morning—..offences trivial—..Some of them got gos, and some got nothing. 1847 J. S. Robb Streaks of Squatter Life 75 —Gin him goss without sweeten'—. 1864 Hotten Slang Dict. (ed. 3) 146 To give a man goss, to requite for an injury, to beat, or kill him. 1914 A. A. Grace Tale of Timber Town xxxviii. 173 That's right, ole man. Give 'em goss. |
▪ IV. goss
variant of gorce, gorse.