Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

CLOCH, v.² An unusual variant of Clock, v., q.v. to sit, brood. Also .fig. [klɔx]Ayr. 1833 Galt The Joke ii. in Fraser's Mag. (Sept.):
Dinna be cloching on addled eggs: what has tou to do with a lodger?

Hence clocher, a brood-hen. Used fig. in quot.Slk. 1829 Hogg Shepherd's Calendar II. 13:
The Snaw-fleck sits busy in the neuk, as sleek as a kinnen [rabbit], and the auld clocher fornent her admiring and misca'ing her a' the time.