Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MOCHER, v. Also mochre, mucher. [′mɔxər, ′mʌxər]

1. To busy oneself about matters of little importance, to potter about, to work aimlessly or confusedly, to work in the dark (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Now only liter.Lnk. 1922 T. S. Cairncross Scot at Hame 67:
It's a lang hard road to travel when you mochre on yersel'.

2. Specif. of cattle: to graze in rich or specially reserved pasture.Cai. 1773 Session Papers, Petition J. Sinclair (3 Feb.) 9:
The cattle of Libster muchered there in the summer and harvest seasons about the hill of Rugie.

3. To give an animal special feeding, as a cow before milking, to pet, pamper, esp. with tasty food (Cai. 1903 E.D.D., Cai. 1963).Cai. 1916 John o' Groat Jnl. (31 March):
When the cow was herded in some nice corner, it was “mochered”.