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.

KEEROCH, n., v. Also kweerich, queerach (Gregor). [′k(w)irəç, Bnff. + ′kurəç]

I. n. A contemptuous term for any strange or messy mixture (Abd. 1825 Jam.; ne.Sc. 1959); awkward and ineffectual work; over-dainty nursing (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 136); an untidy person (Abd. 1959).Abd. 1902 E.D.D.:
That's a keeroch o' porridge I left yesterday.Abd. 1919 T.S.D.C.:
She's a rael queeroch in her ain hoose.Abd.² 1942:
Her mither hid to tell Jean her cookin' hid turned oot a sair keeroch.

II. v. To stir or poke about messily; to work awkwardly and ineffectually, to nurse over-daintily (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 136; Abd. 1959). Also vbl.n. queerachan; ppl.adj. kweerichin, queerachin, awkward and unskilful (Gregor; Abd. 1911 Weekly Jnl. (20 Jan.), Abd. 1959).Abd.² 1942:
The loons were a' doon at the waterins keerichin' aboot an' fylin' the water.