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.
BUSS, Bus, Bos, Boss, n.4 and v.2 [bʌs, bɔs Ork., but Sh. + bos]
1. n. See also Byss.
(1) “Light chaff and small particles from among corn” (Ork. 1929 Marw., s.v. boss).
(2) “The various soft and dry substances of which a bird's nest is composed; straw for a lair for animals” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; 1908 Jak. (1928) s.v. bos; 1914 Angus Gl.); “a pig's bed” (Cai.4 c.1920). Known to Cai.7 1937.Sh.(D) 1899 J. Spence Sh. Folk-Lore 230:
“Whaar there's tuss there's buss.” (Tuss — Broken pieces and refuse of hay or straw.)
2. v.
(1) “To rummage among buss” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928) s.v. bos:
Der'r a moose or cat bosin among de strae.
(2) “To sift oats with the hands” (Ork. 1920 J. Firth in Old-Lore Misc., Ork., Sh., etc. IV. iv. 180).
(3) Frequentative form buset, “to litter animals, rake up the straw in the litter, to b[usel] among de strae” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[Norw. bos, bus, straw for bedding, grains or small pieces (Torp); Jak. gives Sw. dial. busslä, of swine: to root up the litter, make a lair.]
