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.
Quotation dates: 1842
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BULLET-GUN, n. “A short straight piece of an elder-tree branch, cleared of pith, and used as a blow-pipe” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Cf. Billet Gun. [′bʌlət —]Dmf. 1842 T. Aird in Dmf. Herald (Oct.):
The bourtree (elder), famous for bullet-guns, bored with an old red-hot spindle, and tow-charged, in the days of boyhood, is also very rich this autumn with her small black-purple berries.
