Definition of "bawn" [bawn]

• A cattle-fort; a building used to shelter cattle. (noun)
• A defensive wall built around a tower house. It was once used to protect livestock during an attack. (noun)
• Eye dialect spelling of born. (verb)

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• "The occupants of the largest portions of land were bound, within four years, to build a castle and bawn, that is, a walled enclosure, with towers at the angles, within which was placed the cattle, -- and to plant on their estates forty-eight able-bodied men, eighteen years old or upwards, of English or Scottish descent."
• "The Castle "bawn" was usually enclosed by one or more strong walls, the inner sides of which were lined with barns, stables, and the houses of the retainers."
• "[Footnote 1: A bawn was a place near the house, enclosed with mud or stone walls, to keep the cattle from being stolen in the night, now little used."