Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BITTER WEED, n. A name for any one of the species of poplars. Given in N.E.D. as obs.Sc. [1826] R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes (1870) 204:
Oak, ash, or elm tree, The laird can hang for a' three; But fir, saugh, and bitter weed, The laird may flyte, and make naething by 't.