A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Knak-catt, n. [f. e.m.E. (and mod. Sc. and north. and north. midl. Eng. dial.) knack v. to crack, snap, rap, etc … not otherwise recorded in Older Sc. (but cf. Knak v.1 and note to Knak n.); and Cat n.] One who snaps at cats (with the teeth, as a dog does) = Cat-knappar n. (and cf. Knappar n. and Gnappar n.). Also comb. cur-. —a1568 Bann. MS. 140 a/18.
Amangis the wyffis it salbe wittin Thow [the tailor] wes ane knakcatt in the way a1568 Ib./35.
Thy wyif wount [= wenit] ane man scho gatt … And scho gat bot ane cur knakcatt
