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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TRAFFECK, n., v. Also trafeck, trafeque (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 195), traf(f))ike, traffique (Abd. 1905 E.D.D.); trifike. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. traffic. [trɑ′fɛk, n.Sc. + trɑ′fəik, Ags. ′-fik, now only in Sc. senses below, otherwise ′trɑfɪk]

I. n. 1. As in Eng. Sc. deriv. ¶traffical, full of traffic, busy, much frequented.Gall. 1905 E.D.D.:
This is a traffical road.

2. Dealings, familiar communication, intercourse, transactions (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Sh., Bnff., Abd., Ags. 1972).Abd. 1937 J. Leslie Willie & Meggie 60:
They were haddin' a traffeck thegither.Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xxviii.:
Our traffic is settled.Abd. 1926 Abd. Univ. Review (March) 116:
Ony gran' body 'at hid mair trafféck hid tae sen' his ain messenger.Abd., Ags. 1960:
I've nae mair traffeck wi'm noo.

3. Work, progress with a job, activity, bustle (Sh., Bnff., Ags. 1972).Ags.⁶ c.1890:
Like the farmer in Angus who found that the folk engaged in “clattin neeps” always stopped work to look at the passing trains as long as they were in sight. “They're an awfu hender tae the trafféck, thae trains,” he said.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 42:
Caain, markin', dippin', an' aa da trafeck an' elt it's wi' dem [sheep].

4. A marketable quantity.Fif. c.1850 Peattie MS.:
A daursay A hae some yet; but nae traféque o't.

5. Pl. Small stuff, odds and ends, spare parts, light or useless articles, trash (Cai. 1905 E.D.D., trafike; Sh. 1972). Also in Eng. dial.Cai. 1934 John o' Groat Jnl. (2 Feb.):
He cam' til a shop 'at they get a' 'at trifikes for bicycles.

II. v. To deal with, have to do with, hold familiar intercourse (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 195). Obs. in Eng. Vbl.n. trafeckin, dealings, relations, ongoings (Sh., ne.Sc., Ags. 1972).Ayr. 1826 Galt Last of Lairds xxi.:
Ye ken best what trafeckin has been between you and her.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xiv., xliv:
Didna ye traffike neen wi' common fowk the day? . . . The haill poo'er o' traffikein wi' the grun'.Edb. 1884 R. F. Hardy Glenairlie I. i.:
Ye aye tak' yer ain gait aboot trafeckin' wi' Jenny.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xviii.:
Tae ken ower muckle aboot 'e traffeckins o' the three sins.