Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†BAIT, v.1 and n.1 Eng. bate, a technical term used in tanning.
1. v.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
To bait, to steep skins in a ley made of hens' or pigeons' dung, for the purpose of reducing them to a proper softness, that they may be thoroughly cleansed before they are put into the tan or bark. After being thus baited, they are scraped with a knife called a grainer.
2. n.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Bait, the ley in which skins are put.
