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.
CADDA, CADDOW, n. “A quilt or coverlet; a cloak or cover; a small cloth which lies on a horse's back underneath the ‘straddle'” (Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.). Caddow is now only dial. (Lan.) in Eng. (E.D.D.).
[O.Sc. caddow, cadday, cada, first date 1576, a rough woollen covering or rug (D.O.S.T.), E.M.E. caddow, caddo, 1579. Perhaps connected with Caddis, which both in Eng. and Sc. formerly might mean a coarse, cheap serge. The Gael. cadadh, tartan cloth, is prob. from Eng. caddow (MacBain).]
