A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Souk,) Suck(e, n. Also: sowk, sowck. [ME and e.m.E. suk (c1220), souke (14th c.), suck (1535); Souk(e v.]
1. The action or practice of sucking at the breast; the state of being unweaned.c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) lxxv 24.
My new spanit howffing fra the sowk
2. coll. Unweaned calves.1670 Kirkcudbr. Test. (Reg. H.) April.
They had the tyme foresaid two oxin more three kin with sowck
3. transf. Juice (of a plant); liquid, moisture.Acheloian sucke, = water (see James VI Poems II 248 n.).1581-1623 James VI Poems I 131/155.
Plantes quho do by thaire roote, thayre sucke or by thaire littill seide A death unmercifull before the time unto us breide 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 150/16.
Within the bottome deepe of christall glasses cleene The wine with the Acheloian sucke for to be mix'd is seene
b. Liquid sustenance.1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 32/19.
His humour radicall, continually sweating out on the one parte, and no good new suck being put in the place thereof … hee at last shall vanish awaie
