Cotswold
(ˈkɒtswəld)
Forms: 4–8 Coteswold, 5 Cotteswolde, 6 Cottesolde, Cotssold, 6–7 Cotsold, 7 Cottshold, Cotsal(l, Cotwold, 8 Cotsol, Cotswold.
[From the 17th c. conjectured to be derived from sheep cots or cotes + wold; but the first element is uncertain.]
The proper name of a range of hills in Gloucestershire, England, noted for some centuries for their sheep-pastures, and for a breed of long-wooled sheep named after them. Hence also Cotswold lion, a humorous appellation for a sheep.
| [1306 Petit. in Rolls of Parlt. I. 198/2 Ecclesie de Newenton super Coteswalde. 1327 Petit. ibid. II. 182/1 Unze Sakes & Sys cloves de le meliour Leyn de Coteswold a l'oeps nostre dit Seignour.] 1537 Thersites in Hazl. Dodsley I. 400 Now have at the lions on Cots'old. 1548 Hall Chron. 196 Liberte for certayn cottesolde shepe to be transported vnto the countre of Spayne. a 1553 Udall Royster D. (Arb.) 70 Then will he looke as fierce as a Cotssold lyon. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, ii. iii. 9. 1598 ― Merry W. i. i. 92 How do's your fallow Greyhound, Sir, I heard say he was out-run on Cotsall. a 1612 Harington Epigr. iii. xviii. (N.), Lo then the mystery from whence the name Of Cotsold lyons first to England came. 1658 Phillips, Coteswold (old word), a company of sheepcotes, and sheep feeding on hills. 1864 Daily Tel. 22 Sept., I shall cross my Downs with Cotswolds. |