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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLAVERS, Blaavers, n.pl. (See second quot.) [′blɑ:vərz]Bnff.6 1914:
The coo has ta'en the blavers.
Bnff.2 1934:
When a cow or other ruminating animal hastily fills the stomach with certain foods in a certain condition, for example rank wet clover, gases are generated which distend the stomach sometimes almost to the point of bursting. In such a case the animal is said to “hae ta'en the blaavers.”

[O.E. blāw- + causative suff. -er. For change of w to v, see P.L.D. § 137.]

3352

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