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 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Jarg, v. [Echoic : cf. ME. charke (1388), later Sc. dial. chark, chairk, OE. cearcian, to grate the teeth, to grate, creak. Cf. Girgand ppl. a.] 1. intr. To creak, grate or jar, as does a door or gate or a heavily laden wagon. Also jargand ppl. a. 1513 Doug. i. vii. 57.
The brassyn durris jargis on the marbill hirst Ib. vi. ix. 88.
Tha wareit portis, iargand on the hirst, Warpit vp braid Ib. xi. iii. 87.
Ne ces thai not apon the jargand wanys The gret akys to turs away atanys

2. To hesitate, waver, flinch, budge. (Appar. fig. use of sense 1 above.) 1600-1610 Melvill 69.
He … for all nevir jarged a jot … from the substance of the cause Ib. 71.
Bot the Principall jarget never a whit, nor movit him selff, whowbeit sum of us war right fleyd Ib. 142.
Mr Andro never jarging, nor daschit a whit, … planlie tauld the King and Counsall that they presumed ower bauldlie