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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.

DOOSHT, Dus(ch)t, Doost, n. and v. Cf. Doist. [duʃt Sc., but Sh., Arg. dust]

1. n. A dull, heavy blow, a push; a thud, a thump, a beat (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), dust; Sh.¹¹ 1949, doost; Cai.⁷, Bnff.², Abd.², Abd.⁹ 1940; Abd. c.1780 Ellis E.E.P. V. 772.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 40:
The wife ga' the loon a great doosht in o' the middle o' the fleer.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb iii.:
The “doosht” of the two persons falling on it [seat].Abd. 1900 E.D.D.:
Gie that carpet a doosht on the wall.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains and Hilly 118:
She wid . . . set's doon wi' a doosht a bit farrer ben the seat.

2. v.

(1) To strike with a dull, heavy blow, to thump (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., dust; Bnff.², Abd.² 1940).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 40:
She dooshtit's back weel till him.Abd. 1900 E.D.D.:
I'll doosht yer riggin' to ye, my man.

Hence dooster, duster, (a) a light blow with the fist (Sh.¹¹ 1949); (b) “a sudden squall of wind” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); a stormy wind from the sea (Arg.¹ 1940, duster); cf. Doister.

(2) To throw (down) in a violent, careless manner (Bnff.², Abd.² 1940).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 40:
The bit bodie took the bung, and dooshtit the beuck fae the tae side o' the room t' the tither.

(3) intr. To fall with a thud.Abd. 1900 E.D.D.:
It dooshtet aff the table to the grun'.