Dictionary of the Scots Language
Dictionar o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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CLOSE, v. To have the respiratory organs in a state of congestion (causing difficulty in breathing) as a result of asthma, croup, bronchitis, etc. (Abd.¹⁹, Ags.², Fif.¹⁰ 1936). [klo:z] Bnff. 1866  Gregor D. Bnff. 27:
The littlin clost up a' thegeether; bit, ye see, a pat 'im intil a bowie amon' warm water, an' that relieved ‘im. Ags.(D) 1894  J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) iv.:
It was . . . only but aucht days auld when it took bruntkadis an' closed, juist in an 'oor or twa.

Hence (1) closin(g), vbl.n., a stuffed-up or congested condition due to cold, asthma, etc.; preceded by the def. art. = croup; (2) closed, ppl.adj., suffering from congestion, in a state of suffocation. (1) Bnff. 1936 ² :
Little Jeannie's hid a nesty closin' in her breest for aboot a fortnicht. Ayr. 1795  Stat. Acc.¹ III. 107:
Some years ago' nine children died of a disease called the closing, or croup. (2) Ags.(D) 1894  J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) xx.:
She's gotten her death o' cauld . . . an' I think she's smittit her bairnie; for when I was yont yesterday forenune, the puir little thingie was near closed a'thegither.