Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SCRAB, v. To scratch, scrape (Arg. 1882 Arg. Herald (3 June); Uls. 1920 J. Logan Uls. in X-rays 72; Rs. 1929; Arg. 1936 L. McInnes Dial. S. Kintyre 12; Uls. 1953 Traynor; Arg. 1990s).Highl. 1892 Sc. Antiquary VI. 147:
The directions are to ‘scrab it [skull] wi' a knife, and tak' it in water, as much as a pooder o't' [as a cure for epilepsy].