Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Cat, n.² [Of obscure origin; perhaps a fanciful use of Cat,n.¹] A wisp of straw combined with soft clay used in building or repairing walls. Usu. in phr. cat and clay. 1561–2 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 153.
For cat and clay to mend and fill certane hoillis 1615–6 M. Works Acc. XI. 16.
For mending the tua chimnayis in the smedy with cat and cley. 1663 Stirling Comm. Good 16 b.
5 thrave straw to be ropis & to make cattis of clay 1685 Decis. Lords (1769) I. 379.
They … had only built the lowest story of it of mud, or cat and clay