Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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LIVER, v.¹

1. tr. (1) To unload (goods) from a boat, to deliver on shore, to unship, discharge (a cargo).Abd. 1701 J. Bulloch Pynours (1887) 74:
If any goods shall be livered at the shoar below the Estler work.Sc. 1747 Caled. Mercury (17 March):
A Parcel of fine fresh Potatoes, to be sold in a Vessel at Barnie's Nook, Leith, or (if livered) in David Oliphant's Warehouse above the Weigh-house.Ags. 1859 Arbroath Guide (3 Dec.) 4:
They livered a cargo o' gin.

(2) Used pass.: to be unloaded.Sc. 1829 G. Robertson Recollections 425:
Lime-shells, too, when livering from a ship, is, at times, a midnight business also, when it suits the tides.

(3) Used. fig. of a woman being delivered of a child.Mry. 1741 E. D. Dunbar Social Life (1865) 189:
I expected that night she would liver her loading.

2. intr. or absol. Of a ship: to unload its cargo. Vbl.n. livering, discharge.Sc. 1719 Rec. Conv. Royal Burghs (1915) 220:
Scots ships … coming to the staple port to liver shall enjoy exemption.Inv. 1730 Steuart Letter Bk. (S.H.S.) 358:
When you come to your livering port, which I reckon will be the Kyle of Shuna, lett all the Brandy be imediately put ashore.Ags. 1762 J. M. Beatts Hist. Dundee (1878) 117:
No ship or bark (open boats excepted) shall liver or lay any plank for that end.

3. To unload a vessel (Sc. 1808 Jam.; n.Sc., Hebr. 1961).Sc. 1951 Scots Mag. (April) 31:
I have even discussed some obscure passage in Scripture with a skipper when he was "'livering" at the capstan (that is, swinging the herring ashore by the derrick).