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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.

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.