Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BACK-RAPE, n. “The band which goes over the back of a horse in the plough, to prevent the theets or traces from falling to the ground” (Clydesdale 1825 Jam.2; Ayr4 1928).
[O.Sc. bak-raip (1626), with same meaning (D.O.S.T.).]
