Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DABACH, Dabbich, n., v. [′dɑbəx]
1. n.
(1) A stroke, a blow (Bch. 1825 Jam.2), a whack. Known to Bnff.2, Abd.2 1939.Abd. 1900 E.D.D.:
He let a dabach at him wi' his staff.Bch. 1832 W. Scott Poems 77:
Let's hae a dabach at their drodums yet.
(2) An expert (Bnff.2 1939).Abd.2 1939:
He's a clever chiel at githerin' gear, but nae dabach ava at keepin' accoonts.
2. v. To poke, thrust, prod (Bnff.2 1939).Abd.2 1939:
Fat is yon auld mannie aye dabachin' at in his back yard?
Phr.: to let dabach (dabbich) at, “to peck at” (Abd.7 1925, — dabbich); to make a grab at; to aim a blow at. Known to Bnff.2 1939.Abd.2 1939:
He let dabach at the beastie wi' a muckle rung and felled it wi' ae blow.
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"Dabach n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 3 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dabach>
