Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HAGLET, n. Also haaglet. An enclosed piece of hill-pasture, esp. applied to a piece of ground habitually frequented by cattle or sheep (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), haglet, 1914 Angus Gl., haaglet); gen. of a straying animal in proverb. phr. it is (will) come back till its auld haglet, i.e. return to its old haunts (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., haaglet, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1956). Also fig. of persons. Cf. Hoga.Sh. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. vi. 227:
“Never ye be ower cast doon. Dey'll come back ta der auld haglet.” This is how anxious parents were comforted when their children had gone astray, or left home for what they fondly believed was a better place.