Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CREEPER, n.
1. A grappling-iron.Abd. 1736 An Abd. Estate (S.C. 1946) 26:
For 2 Creepens [sic] for cleaning Ditches 2s.
2. “A small grapple made of cod-fishing hooks, tied together; used by fishermen to search for lost lines” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 31; Arg.1 1940); in pl.: “dragging-tackle used by smugglers to catch and raise to the surface kegs which had been sunk at the approach of a revenue-cutter” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.).
3. “The caddis-worm” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Rxb. 1940 (per Lnk.11)). Also found in Eng. dial. (E.D.D.).
[O.Sc. crepar, creiper, a grappling-iron or grapnel, 1513; a creeping thing, 1590 (D.O.S.T.).]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Creeper n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/creeper>
