Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BUT, v. Of sea birds: “to dive” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); “to pop up from under water; to rise to the surface as seafowl do” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). [bʌt, bot (Jak.)]
[L.Ger. butten, Sw. dial. botta, butta, to strike, O.N. bauta, Gmc. *bautan, to beat (Torp).]
