Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1813, 1900-1943
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SPROUT, v., n. Also sproot (Fif. 1879 S. Tytler Lady Jean's Son xiv.; Lth. 1888 D. Carmichael Cosietattle 263; Ags. 1890 Brechin Advertiser (14 Oct.); Edb. 1915 T. W. Paterson Auld Saws 47), spruit (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Sc. 1925 Scots. Mag. 181; Kcb. 1928), sprut (Sc. 1829 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 206). Sc. forms and usages. See P.L.D. §38. [sprut]
I. v. To rub or break off the sprouts of potatoes (I. and n.Sc. 1971).Sh. 1900 Shetland News (26 May):
Yon twartree taties 'at's in under da mill 'ill hae ta be sprooted an' pitten in bags.
II. n. Fig. A child (Bnff., Fif., Ayr., s.Sc. 1971).Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems I. 156:
Health to your little cheerfu' Sproot.Cai. 1904 E.D.D.:
Bit sproots o' bairnies, young slender children.Rs. 1943 C. M. Maclean Three for Cordelia I. i.:
Jock tries to take the wee sproot down a peg.
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"Sprout v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 9 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sprout>
