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: 1908-1929
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GROP, n., v. Also gropp; grap (Ork.).
I. n. 1. Coarsely-ground corn (the outer husks only being removed) used for feeding livestock (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw.; Cai. 1940 John o' Groat Jnl. (19 Jan.); Ork., Cai. 1955).
2. Hence applied to anything granular or small, such as bread (Cai. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.), breadcrumbs (Cai.8 1934, groppans), small potatoes, refuse, rubbish of any kind (Abd.8 1917; Sh., Cai. 1949). Also extended to persons.Cai. 1911 John o' Groat Jnl. (19 May):
Speaking of the diminutive mill-workers of Dundee, a Caithness man described them as "just a lot o' gropp."
Hence groppy, adj., crumbly.Cai. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.:
Certain kinds of home-made cheese were said to be groppy.
†3. Rain in large, heavy drops (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928)).
II. v. 1. To grind corn coarsely (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
We'll send a seck o' this tae the mill tae get grapped for the horse.
2. To crush coarsely or partially (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1955).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Gropet livers, fish-livers which have been crushed between the hands. [Cf. Crappit Heids.]
†3. To rain in large drops (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[Norw. dial. grop, bruised grain, coarse meal, a granular mass, gropa, to grind coarsely.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Grop n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/grop>
