Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

CAUKER, CAWKER, Caulker, Cocker, n.³ A dram of liquor, a bumper; “a glass of whisky as a pick-me-up” (s.Per. 1928 R. S. Hill W.-L., cauker); cf. Eng. slang caulker, a final dram. The form cocker is given for Rnf. in E.D.D. Suppl. (1905), obsol. Known to Cai.⁷, Bnff.², Abd.⁹, Ags.¹, Fif.¹⁰ 1938.Cai. 1849 J. T. Calder St Mary's Fair 35:
They get a “caulker” each of smuggled whisky.Fif. 1894 W. D. Latto Tammas Bodkin, Swatches o' Hodden-Grey xxiii.:
Then cam' the Beukin whan ye had to drink a cawker oot o' the Dominie's bottle.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 72, s.v. bitts:
When a man is wet and trembling with cold, give him a cauker.Dmf. [1777] J. Mayne Siller Gun (1808) 89:
The magistrates, wi' loyal din, Tak aff their cau'kers.