A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Swatter, v. Also: swat(t)r-, swetter. P.t. also sualterit. [Late north. ME swatire (c1400), e.m.Du. swadderen.] intr. To splash about (in or through water or a wet place); to wallow. Also in fig. context.pres. 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 58.
Wald God the lady that luffit ȝow best Had sene ȝow thair ly swetterand lyke twa swyne! 1622 Pope's New-Year Gift.
The monkes lay on their backe, Like washen sheepe, still swattring here and there 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 112.
Some swatring in the floud the streame down bears 1654 Hist. Fragm. II 15.
It was represented to me in a dream that I was without a well … and before me many swattering in the water 1655 Hist. Fragm. II 20.
I was … looking to the water both above and beneath the bridge, and … saw diverse people swattering in either of those places a1700 Mare of Colinton 120.
I shall remove, … And seek my meat throw Curry moor, As fast as I can swatterp.t. a1500 Colk. Sow i 227.
He fell in [a lyn] And Hoge wes sa haisty That he sualterit him by 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 349.
The water stank, the feild was odious Quhair dragouns, lessertis, askis, edders swatterit, With mouthis gapand c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1454.
Byrdis … Afferitlye in the air thay flew … Syne swatterit doun in to the seefig. a1599 Rollock Wks. II 457.
He swatters and swims, he gives not clean over, he drowns not altogether 1604-9 Grahame Anat. Hum. 55b.
How will he then detest himselfe that hath bene so long swatring in that filthie myre
b. fig. To wallow (in something).1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xiii.
The world lay besotted, and swattering in all sorte of superstition 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 339.
Oh, to be swattering and swimming over head and ears in Christ's love!
c. fig. To swatter out, to splash out.c1680 W. Row Blair 122.
Out of the dreary vale of tears, My soul hath swattered out
