Definition of "cowan"

A worker in unmortared stone; a stonemason who has not served an apprenticeship.  examples

(Freemasonry) A person who attempts to pass himself off as a Freemason without having experienced the rituals or going through the degrees.  examples

(slang) A sneak; an inquisitive or prying person.

(in attributive use) Uninitiated, outside, “profane”.  examples

(Scotland, obsolete, rare) A fishing-boat.