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.
Quotation dates: 1743, 1800-1829, 1945
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TILLER, n.1, v. [′tɪlər]
I. n. A lateral shoot growing from the base of the stalk of corn, grass or other herbaceous plants (Mry. 1825 Jam.). Now only dial. in Eng.
II. v. Of corn or similar plants: to produce side-shoots from the root or base of the stem (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Ags., Slg., Ayr., Wgt. 1972), also with out. Now only dial. in Eng.Sc. 1743 R. Maxwell Select Trans. 24:
Clover plants, when they have roon to grow, tiller or stool.Sc. 1800 Farmer's Mag. I. 445:
The subsequent severe drought, which prevented their tillering.Slg. 1812 P. Graham Agric. Slg. 403:
When the plants are thin they keep tillering.Lth. 1829 G. Robertson Recollections 278:
The hoeing making them tiller out new stalks.Ags. 1945 Dundee High School Mag. (April) 18:
The operation induces the plants to tiller.
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"Tiller n.1, v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/tiller_n1_v>
