We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CAOCHAN, n. Cf. Keechan.

1. “A small stream flowing across moorland and boggy ground with its channel concealed by heather and other moor vegetation” (Cai., Inv. (Badenoch) 1929 (per Cai.8); e.Rs.1 1935).

2. “A small stream or narrow burn flowing in the open, usually with some force of water and some noise” (Cai., Inv. (Badenoch) 1929 (per Cai.8)).

‡3. “Fermented worts. The word is still current in the district, but is being superseded by the word Pook” (Arg.1 1929).Arg. c.1850 The Follinash in L. M'Innes Dial. of S. Kintyre (1936) 30:
Dohl a' Voomper had a brewing In Kilmaschenachan Glen And of foreshot strong and caochan too A greedy squeep has taen.

[Gael. has caochan, a streamlet hidden by herbage (MacBain), whisky in its first process of distillation (Macleod and Dewar); Irish caochán, a blind person, beast or bird; purling noise like the sound of worts fermenting; based on caoch, blind, blasted (of wheat), cf. Lat. caecus, blind. “Sense 2 may be due to the influence of Gael. caothach, cuthach, rage, wrath, because of the noise or violence of the water” (Cai.8 1938).]

5617

snd