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.
†BURDON, n. In phr. to be at the staff and the burdon with one = “to quarrel, or come to an open rupture, with one” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, s.v. staff).
[O.Sc. burdoun, burdon, a stout staff, a cudgel (D.O.S.T.), Mid.Eng. burdoun, burdon, O.Fr. bourdon, a pilgrim's staff, a lance with large hand-grip, from Lat. burdonem, a mule; “objects of support are frequently known to borrow their names from beasts of burden, cf. chevalet, support for a black-board, etc., from cheval, horse” (Hatz. and Darm.), and Eng. clothes-horse.]
