Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BALKING, vbl.n. Going off the straight line.m.Lth. 1793 G. Robertson Agric. of Midlothian 56:
The plough has always an empty furrow to enter upon, and the danger of balking in the feering, which so readily occurs in drawing the first furrow on the crown of a high gathered ridge, is altogether obviated.