Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1999
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OUTRUG, n. Also ootrug, oot-rugg, utrog (Jak.); ootrook (Cai.). The backward withdrawal of a wave after it has broken on the shore (Cai. 1907 County of Cai. (Horne) 80; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Mry., Fif. 1911; Sh., Ags. 1964). [′utrʌg]Ork. 1999 Orcadian 4 Nov 19:
In North Ronaldsay oot-rugg means an undercurrent - or tide even, which is caused by the rebound of beach waves. A sheep, or a person for that matter, could be caught in the oot-rugg and dragged out to sea.
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"Outrug n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/outrug>
