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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

COCKER, v.¹ [′kɔkər]

1. intr. To rock, to totter, to walk unsteadily (Fif.¹⁰ 1936; Lth. 1825 Jam.²; Lnk.³ 1936; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Abd.² 1941:
Wer aul' neepour's ti the gate again, an' wis cockerin' roon the close the day.

Hence (1) cockerie, unsteady, shaky (given in Watson Rxb. W.-B. as obsol., but known to Abd.¹⁹, Fif.¹⁰, Lnk.³ 1936); (2) cockersome, id. (Fif.¹⁰ 1936); (3) cockerty, idem.(1) Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto Tammas Bodkin xxxiii.:
I was jeest wantin' a moothfu' o' water . . . an' ye set up yer things sae cockerie-like that they winna thole a glower o' a body. (2)Ags.1868 G. Webster Strathbrachan III. 603: 
I like nae sic cockersome machine.(3) Abd.⁹ 1936:
The Cockerty Stanes of Auchmaliddy, New Deer, were large stones on top of other stones, capable of being rocked by the exertion of a little force.Knr. 1895 “H. Haliburton” Dunbar in Mod. Sc. 60:
Sae cockerty it is, an cantit, Weel micht this warld be supplantit By something steadier.

2. tr. To place anything in an insecure place.Per. 1898 E.D.D.:
What gars ye cocker it up there?