Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HALF-DEAL MAN, n.comb. Also half-dailsman. A half-share fisherman (Bwk. 1956). See also Dale, n.¹, v.Fif. 1845 Stat. Acc.² IX. 347:
There may be two men to each boat, strangers, finding employment in our boats. These are called half-deal men, from the limited proportion they receive of the profits, which is reasonably so limited, because, while they furnish their own nets, they have no property in the boats.Fif. 1956:
A half-dailsman is in effect a “hired hand” on a fishing boat, a man who owns no part of the boat's fleet of nets and who is therefore paid only a half share.