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.

†JAWER, n. Found in forms jaur-, jar-, jore. A deriv. of Jaw, q.v.: a mire, slough; any semi-liquid substance or mixture (Slk. 1825 Jam., jore). Derivs. jarness, -niss, jerniss, gernis, a sodden state, a marshy or marsh-like place (Fif. 1825 Jam.). The second syllable may represent Ness, n.²; jaurnoch, “filth, washings of dishes” (w.Sc. 1825 Jam.). Comb. ja(u)rhole, a primitive drain, a jaw-hole (Ayr., Gall. 1825 Jam.).Ib.:
In Ayrshire, I am informed, all the old houses had a jaurhole, i.e. a hollow perforated stone built into the wall for carrying off dirty water.