Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

CROCK, CROAK, n.² Specific Sc. usages and forms of Eng. crock. [krɔk, krok]

1. A large earthenware vessel for holding milk, cream, salt, butter, etc. (L.Bnff. 1926 (per Bnff.⁴), croak; Ayr.⁴ 1928; Uls.² 1929). Known to Bnff.², Ags.¹⁷, Fif.¹⁰, Fif.¹³ (for Clc.), Slg.³, Arg.¹, Lnk.¹¹ and Kcb. correspondents 1941. Used also in Eng. and Ir. dial. (E.D.D.).Sc. 1933 E. S. Haldane Scotland of our Fathers 169:
The young lads had been sent off with . . . a “crook” [sic] of butter, a mutton ham, kippered salmon and other provisions.Lnk. 1926 W. Queen We're a' Coortin 51:
I'll bate . . . that ye've aither trampit on the kittlin' or knockit up against that crock o' soor milk.

Comb.: crock-pigs, “large vessels of earthen ware for holding butter” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 146).

†2. An earthenware hot-water bottle.Sc. 1874 A. Hislop Sc. Anecdotes 95:
Would you like a het crock in your bed this cauld nicht, mem?