A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Piltok,) -ock, Polltack, n. Also: pelltack; (plltock). (Of unknown origin: ‘app. a diminutive’ (OED.). Also in the mod. dial. of Orkney, Shetland and Caithness as piltock, pelltack, etc. = ‘the coalfish at an early stage of its development, gen. about the second year’ (SND, s.v. Piltock n.).) —c1650-1700 Descr. Zetland 8 (see Podlok).
But especially with podlines (young sheaths) called by the inhabitants polltacks [v.r. in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. III. 252 pelltacks] Ib. 41.
And podlocks (here plltocks) 1701 Brand Orkney & Shetl. 72.
This bastard leprosy … is caused by the many grey fishes such as sillucks, piltocks etc. which they eat
