A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1536-1606, 1670
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Wirriar(e, -ier, -ear, Worriar, n. [17th c. Eng. worrier (1634).] An animal, esp. a dog, that attacks, savages or kills. b. Applied to a person. c. transf. One who guzzles or swills (wine). (Cf. SND Worry v. 4.) c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 26.
Ane wirrear of lamb and hog 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. vi.
Being admonished that so he should be torne by birds and beasts, did reiyre a taunt, in requyring a cudgell to be coutched beside, whereby to weare his wirriers away 1670 Corshill Baron Ct. 91.
Allane Wyllie … to hang his dogg in respect he is knowne to be ane sheep wirrierb. a1568 Bannatyne MS 140a/24.
Wa worth the waistour wirriar of lyce 1583 Elgin Rec. I 173.
The sklanderous … wordis giffin be her to him in calling him auld wouff facet theiff carle and worriar of scheipc. 1584 Sempill in Sat. P. xlv 12.
Still daylie drinckand … A wirriare of the gude sweit wyne
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"Wirriar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/wirriare>
