Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

¶SLEECH, v.¹ To rip or strip (a hook) off a fishing-line in casting, to cause (the hook) to fly off.Lth. 1860 J. Locke Tweed & Don 10, 11:
Giving us some good instructions how to throw our lines without sleeching off our hooks. . . . Some sleech off their hooks at the first throw, and their sport is at an end for the day.