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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NARG, v., n. Also nyarg, njarg (Jak.); freq. forms nyargie, nyargle; n(j)irg, njørg (Jak.). [n(j)ɑrg; n(j)ɪrg]

I. v. intr. To keep grumbling and finding fault, to be peevish, to argue snappishly, to nag, taunt (Abd. 1825 Jam.; Kcb.¹ 1900, nyargle; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Mry.¹ 1925, nyargie; Ork. 1929 Marw.; I.Sc., Cai. 1963). Ppl.adjs., vbl.n. nyargin, -an, fretful, fault-finding (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 119), nyargling, wrangling (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 367), nargit, vexed, chagrined, exasperated. Hence n(y)argie, jeering, scornful (Abd. 1825 Jam.), also used subst. = a grumbling, discontented person (Sh. 1963).Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 12:
Ye've narget on now till ye've rais'd my birse.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 119:
The twa dee nocht bit nyarg wee ane anither.Dmf. 1923 Scots Mag. (March) 432:
They're fair nargit he's joukit them that aften.Sh. 1930 Manson's Almanac 190:
Shu nirgid on in Tammie's face, Until his hert wis sore.

II. n. 1. Continual grumbling, importuning, or fault-finding, peevish wrangling (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 119; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1963); a grumbling, criticising, nagging person (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 367, nyargle; Jak.).

2. Fig. Hard, slow, laborious work, as in rowing; a strong, contrary wind at sea, causing turbulence and commotion, a dangerous or troublesome sea (Sh. 1903 E.D.D., nyarg, 1949 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 130, Sh. 1963).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
We've had a regular n(j)irg at de ayre. A n(j)irg o' wadder. He is a njarg i' de sea. Der'r a njarg o' wind; he is blawin' a njarg byfram.