Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

OUTLER, n. Also outlar, ootler. [′utlər]

1. A farm animal which remains outside through the winter (Rxb. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 369). Also attrib. Now poet.Ayr. 1786 Burns Halloween xxvi.:
The Deil, or else an outler Quey, Gat up an' gae a croon.Kcb. 1815 J. Gerrond Poems 80:
An' outlars rout about the wa's.Wgt. 1832 A. M'Dowall Will Wander 34:
Her kye and stirks minds in the byre And ne'er forgets the outler brutes.Sc. 1936 J. G. Horne Flooer o' Ling 24:
The ootler kye their tails gart fling An' capered owre the brae.

¶2. A politician out of office.Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 160:
At length the Outlers grew sae mad Against ilk Inler purse-proud blade.