A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quhilk, interj. [Echoic. Cf. mod. Shetl. dial. whilk a gulp; also v., to gulp, swallow noisily; mod. Eng. dial. whilk n. and v. yelp (of a dog); whilk n. ‘local name for the scoter, a species of wild duck’ (OED).] Imitation of the cry of a gosling. —1549 Compl. 39/11.
The gayslingis cryit quhilk quhilk & the dukis cryit quaik