Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1818-1847, 1902
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DOCKIE, Docky, adj. and v. Also †doaky; docksy (see -Sie, suff.)
1. adj.
(1) Of a horse: docked, having the tail cut short. Fig. in phr. to be on dockie, see Dock, v. 2 (3).
(2) Neat, tidy, “applied to one who is little and neat, and who takes short steps” (Sc. 1825 Jam.2; Ayr.4 1928).Sc. a.1819 J. Baillie Works (1853) 818:
The docksy auld laird of the Warlock glen, Wha waited without, half blate, half cheery.Ayr. 1847 J. Fulton St Innan's Day 4:
And a' made snod and docky.Dmf. 1902 J. M. Coltart Verses 58:
A douce docky body is Miss Mattie Brown, In a docky wee house she lives in this town.
†2. v. “To move with short steps; always applied to one of small stature” (Lnk. 1825 Jam.2, docky, doaky).
[From Dock, v., 2.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Dockie adj., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dockie_adj_v>
