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: 1922
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GURBLOT, v., n. Also gurbluit, -bloit, gorblot, -bloit. [gʊr′blɔ(i)t, gor-′]
I. v. To wash badly, so that the dirt is only partially removed, esp. of clothes (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., gurbloit, 1914 Angus Gl., Sh.10 1955).Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 64:
Girzzie wis 'ithin da door gurbluitin' twartree bits o' things in a tub.
II. n. 1. Badly-washed clothes or face and hands (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); 2. A hasty incomplete wash, a swill (Sh. 1955).
[Orig. rather uncertain, but prob. a compounding of Norw. gor, dirt (see Goor, n.2) and bløte, to soak, steep (see Blot, n.).]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Gurblot v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gurblot>
