Cowan

a sneak, an inquisitive or prying person. Greek , κύων, a dog. Term given by Freemasons to all uninitiated persons. Used in Anderson’s Constitutions , edit. 1769, p. 97. If derived from κύων, its use was probably suggested by such pa ages in the N. T. as Matt. vii. 6, and Phil. iii. 2. The Moslems apply dog in a similar manner. It is probably Oriental. Other authorities say it is from COWAN , or KIRWAN , a Scottish word signifying a man who builds rough stone walls without mortar—a man who, though he builds, is not a practical mason.