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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

STENCH, v., n. Also stainch, stensh (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), stinch. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. stanch, to stop, arrest motion, etc. (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 181; ne.Sc. 1971). [stenʃ]

I. v. 1. As in Eng. Comb. stench-girss, stanch grass, the yarrow, Achillea millefolium, used as a styptic in arresting bleeding. Cf. Eng. †stanch-blood, id. Deriv. stainchless, insatiable.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 15:
But a' her washing cud na stench the bleed; In haste then Nory for the stench-girss yeed.Lnk. a.1832 W. Watt Poems (1860) 248:
Yawp, menseless Pate, wi' stainchless greed.wm.Sc. 1866 R. W. Buchanan London Poems (1883) 228:
No stanchgrass ever heal'd a wound so deep.

2. To allay hunger or thirst, to satisfy with food, satiate (Bnff. 1825 Jam.: ne.Sc., Ags. 1971).Abd. 1754 R. Forbes Shop Bill 33:
Perhaps I may their greening stench.Sc. 1776 D. Herd Sc. Songs II. 171:
The lasses had stench'd their greening With fouth of braw apples and beer.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 181:
Fin the peer hunggert laddie cam haim, we cud hardly get 'im stencht.Abd. 1961 People's Jnl. (23 Sept.) 7:
I wid hae tae buy a gie curn loaves tae keep my man stinched.

3. To recall (a dog) from pursuing animals, to call off (Dmf. 1825 Jam.).

4. intr. To desist, stay, stop (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).

II. n. A surfeit, a satisfying, enough (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 181; ne.Sc. 1971).Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 18:
E'er their cravings got a stench.Abd. 1951 Buchan Observer (20 March):
The beas seem tae hae nae a stench on them.