As a verb howp
is to cry out; to whoop.
As a noun howf is
public house, tavern.
howf
English
Alternative forms
* howff
Noun
(
en noun)
(obsolete, Scottish) public house, tavern
* 1842 , (Walter Scott)
- Mysell being in the public line, I look for howfs I kenn'd long syne, whar gentles used to drink gude wine