A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Donk, a. Also: donke, donc. [ME. danke (14th c.), of obscure origin. The o of the Sc. form also appears in northern Eng. dial. See also Dunk.] Damp, moist, wet.14.. Acts I. 337/2.
Quhen thai gif it [cloth] out, thai mak it donke and wete with watter … to gar it wey c1475 Wall. viii. 1189.
The donk dew doun fra the heuin did vaill a1500 Henr. III. 147/45.
The flesch all donk within is c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 97.
Ewiry blome on branch, and eke on bonk, Opnyt and spred thair balmy leuis donk 1513 Doug. i. xii. 16.
Now the hevin ourquhelmys the donk nycht Ib. iii. ix. 2.
The wak nycht … with hir dym skyis donk Ib. xii. Prol. 25; etc.
In smoky soppys of donk dewis wak 1531 Bell. Boece I. 139.
The air was nubilus and donk, throw continual schouris of rane and sleit 1549 Compl. 38/23.
The fresche deu quhilk of befor hed maid dikis and dailis verray donc c1552 Lynd. Mon. 146.
Quhose donke impurpurit vestiment nocturnall … He lefte in tyll his regioun aurorall a 1627 Craig v. 34.
The bairne … hyde hastie hame, Throgh shéene shawes, & donke dailes
