Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SPALDER, v. Also spaalder; spaller, spyaller (Cai.), spauler. [′spɑl(d)ər]

1. tr. To split, lay open; to split a fish open (Sc. 1880 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. 1909 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. 79:
The fish were caught in great numbers, spaldered, cleaned, and salted.

2. To stretch to its utmost extent, rack (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).

3. intr. To sprawl, lie stretched out (Bwk. 1825 Jam., spaller; Cai. 1904 E.D.D.); to extend. Also refl. (Watson).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Siberia spalders richt across Asia.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 4:
There spaaldert Tweed's storied dale.

4. To clamber.s.Sc. 1933 Border Mag. (Nov.) 171:
Sae up its perpendicular face We spaulered on that day o' grace.