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.
†BOLGAN, BALLAGAN, n.
1. "A swelling that becomes a pimple" (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2; †1923 Watson W.-B.).
2. "Ballagan. Lapsana communis, L." (Ayr. 1886 Britten and Holland Eng. Plant-Names 23). The nipplewort.
Comb.: bolgan leaves, "Nipplewort, an herb. Lapsana communis, Linn. . . . supposed [to be] efficacious in removing swellings" (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).
[Gael. bolgan, dim. of bolg, a bag, a pimple, a variant of balg, id., used in combs. as balgan-uisge, a water-bubble (see Macleod and Dewar). Cf. also O.N. bólgna, to swell.]
