Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CLEESTER, Kleester, Cleister, Claister, Klyster, Clystre, Klister, Klester, v. and n.1 [′klistər Sh. + ′klɛstər, ′klæstər (Jak.), Ork. + ′klaɪstər, Cai., s.Sc. + ′klestər; ′kləistər ne.Sc.]
1. v. To smear with any sticky substance, to bedaub, plaster with mud, tar, etc. (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; 1908 Jak. (1928), klister, klester; 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw., klyster, kleester; Lnl.11937; Clydes. 1880 Jam.5, kleester; Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, claister; 1923 Watson W.-B., cleester); “to besmirch” (Cai.8 1934, claister).Sh. 1898 Shet. News (7 May):
Geordie wis up an' cleestr'd da side o' Aandrew's heid wi' da weet muir, an' aff he set.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 29:
He cam haim we's claise a' clystrt our wee dubs.Kcb.4 c.1900:
She cleistered him a' aboot the gab wi' champit tatties.
2. n.
(1) “A thick viscid mass” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 29; Lnl.11937; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); “large spittle” (Cai.1 c.1920).
(2) “A person bedaubed with mire” (Lnl.11937; Rxb. 1825 Jam.2).
[Cf. Dan. klistre, to paste, and klister, paste; M.L.Ger. and M.H.Ger. klĩster (Mod.Ger. kleister), adherent substance. From the productive Gmc. root *klī-, Idg. *glei-, to cleave, adhere + suff. -stro, as in bolster, holster.]
