Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SWAIRTEN, v. Also swirten. To pine and die, to waste away, esp. from hunger (Sh. 1972, swirten).Sh. 1879 Shetland Times (2 Aug.):
Da twatree lives we haed gain' i' der auld pastur just swairtend ane efter anidder laek a peerie fool fleein' oot atween wir haands.