Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLACK COCK, n. The male of the Black Grouse or Black Game, Tetrao tetrix. Given by N.E.D., Concise and Un. Eng. Dicts. Note the following Sc. phrase, “to mak a Black Cock of one, to shoot one” (Sc. 1825 Jam.²).Sc. 1753 Arch. Stewart's Trial, App. 21 (N.E.D.):
He would make black cocks of them, before they entered into possession, by which the deponent understood shooting them.Sc. 1814 Scott Waverley lviii.:
And I hae heard mae than ane say they wadna tak muckle to mak a black-cock o' ye.