Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

YARR, n. Also ya(w)r. Corn-spurrey, Spergula arvensis (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Mry. 1839 G. Gordon Flora Mry. 16; Bwk. 1853 G. Johnston Botany E. Borders 43, Bnff., Slg. 1886 B. and H. 501; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Uls. 1953 Traynor; n.Sc., m.Sc. 1974). Also in n.Eng. dial. [jɑr]Abd. 1763 Gordon's Mill Farming Club (Smith 1962) 142:
The feeding turnips on the ground is found to have this additional advantage, that it prevents the rising of spurry (or Yar, as we call it).Bnff. 1812 D. Souter Agric. Bnff. App. 46:
Those lesser weeds that go under the common appellation of skellach, gule, yarr.Ags. 1884 Arbroath Guide (5 July) 4:
Yarr is a horrible thing.Inv. 1931 I. Macpherson Shep. Cal. 203:
There was yarr in his garden.Arg. 1954 D. Mackenzie Farmer in W. Isles 53:
A green mist of yarr or spurrey over the field.