Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

YAWK, v., n. Also ya(c)k, yauk; yaik (s.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. ache. See P.L.D. §§ 74.1., 97.4. [jɑ:k, jǫ:k; s.Sc. †jek]

I. v. 1. As in Eng. to be painful or in pain (Rnf. c.1850 Crawfurd MSS. (N.L.S.) Y. 16; Slg., Fif., wm.Sc. 1974). Phr. yackan pyne, severe pain, agony (Rnf. c.1850 Crawfurd MSS. (N.L.S.) Y. 16).wm.Sc. 1877 Jam.:
Yaukin banes are sair to bide.Lnl. 1889 F. Barnard Chirps frae Engine Lum 142:
My heid was yakin' — sick a pain.Per. 1898 C. Spence Poems 183:
Wi' the butt his shouther yaukit.Ayr. 1912 G. Cunningham Verse 193:
Nae ease, day or nicht, does the yawkin' thing gi'e.Knr. a.1922 J. L. Robertson Horace (1925) 197:
But there are caulds an' yawkin' stogs.Abd. 1923 H. Beaton Benachie 128:
Wi' reem they were hir't and tasty — And suitet fine a yakin' kisty.

2. To be in a stress, to be extremely busy (Ib.). Ppl.adj. yaikin, yawkin, very perplexed or perturbed (Lth. 1825), excessively eager to hear or see something (Abd. 1928).

II. n. A state of perplexity (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Cf. I. 2.