This article refers to the "Drow" of Scottish folklore. To see the fictional elven race from Dungeons & Dragons see Drow (Dungeons & Dragons). For other fictionalizations, see Dark Elves in fiction.

Drow (pronounced either /draʊ/, rhymes with "now", or /droʊ/, rhymes with "throw") is a mythical elf-like creature in Scottish folklore which lived in caves and forged magical metal work.

Etymology

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1970) states: "Drow, n., [scot.]." The word is a variant of the Scots term "trow", which itself derives from the Scandinavian word "troll". The race itself seems based on another dark elf, specifically the Dökkálfar of Norse mythology.