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.
Quotation dates: 1908-1932
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DRUNE, v., n. Now only in I.Sc. in the forms droin(e), droon-y(ie). drun-, drøn, dron-. Also irreg. drund. Cf. Dring, v.1, n.1 [drɔin, drøn, drɔŋ Sh., but Ork. ′drʌnj-, Cai. ′druɲi]
1. v.
(1) To utter a low, plaintive sound, to moan, complain, gen. used of cows (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., droine, 1908 Jak. (1928), dronj, droin, drøn; Sh.10, Ork.2 1950; Cai. 1900 E.D.D., droonyie; Ags. 1808 Jam., drune).Sh. 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 195:
Some cows have a way of droinin, moaning or complaining.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Also heard applied to a minister in pulpit — "Mr. G. wad stand there drunyan."
Hence dronjer, a tabu-name for a cow (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl.).
(2) To drone, to hum, buzz, as a bee (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl., droine).
2. n. A low plaintive sound, such as is made by a hungry cow (Sc. 1825 Jam.2: Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 164, drund); the wail of a child when about to cease crying (Sc. 1825 Jam.2, drune; Cai. 1900 E.D.D.); a droning song or tune (Ib.).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De coo ga'e a drøn.
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"Drune v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 1 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/drune>
