Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BACKFU', n.  Also backfu. [′bɑkfə, ′bɑkfu]. 1.  A back load, as much as can be carried on the back. Slk. 1823 Hogg in Blackw. Mag. XIII. 317:
Tammy charged me to bring a backfu' o' peats wi' me.Slk. 1827 Hogg Tales (1865) 340: 
I winna tell an untruth for a my master's estate, and his sax backfu's o' gowd into the bargain.

2. in phr. [Prob. a play on the two words Back, n.¹, and Back, n.², q.v.]Abd. ¹³ 1910: 
A backfu' o' sair beens means a good thrashing.