Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1703, 1795-1845
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†GOCKMAN, n. Also gokman, gockmin. A sentinel, watchman. Gael. and hist. only.w.Sc. 1703 M. Martin Western Islands 103:
They had a constant sentinel on the top of their Houses called Gockmin, or in the English tongue Cockman, who was obliged to Watch Day and Night, and at the approach of any body, to ask, "Who comes there?"w.Sc. (Harris) 1795 Stat. Acc.1 X. 375:
A centinel, called Gokman, was continually kept on the highest part of the wall, whose business it was, on espying a fleet at sea, to light the fire, and the gokman on duty in the fort immediately communicating with this, instantly repeated the signal.Inv. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XIV. 207:
Immediately over the entry to the castle, the gockman or watchman stood all night, repeating some rhyme to keep himself awake.
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"Gockman n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gockman>
