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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.

CLUMPSE, Klumps(e), Klums, Clumse, Klimse, Glimse, v. [klʌmps, kloms (Jak.) Sh., klɪms, glɪms Ork.]

1. tr.

(1) To render speechless, to silence (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., klumpse). Often used in an oath.Sh.(D) 1877 G. Stewart Sh. Fireside Tales 5:
I says till her sometimes, deil clumpse dee an' haud dy tongue sometime — Lord forgie me for swearin'.Sh.(D) 1918 T. Manson Humours Peat Comm. I. 222:
An as fur Joanie, da sweetie shops fairly clumpsed him.

(2) fig. To prevent (fish) from biting.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De nortwind klumsd de grey-fish, the north wind kept the coalfish from taking the bait (prop. closed the mouth of the coalfish).

2. intr.

(1) “To be hardly able to open mouth or speak by reason of thirst” (Ork. 1929 Marw., klimse).

(2) “To die of thirst” (Sh. 1825 Jam.², clumse; 1866 Edm. Gl.); to be afflicted with lockjaw (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); gen. used of horses.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De horse klumsd, the horse could not open its mouth (could not drink), or the horse expired.

Hence klumpsin, klumsen(-in), klimsin, klimsan, adj., parched with thirst (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), klumsen, -in; 1914 Angus Gl., klumpsin; Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. Ork. Par. (1922) 152, klimsin; 1929 Marw., klimsan). Ork.¹ gives glimsin wi' hunger for the northern Isles.Ork.¹ 1928:
Sheu wis fairly klimsin wi trist.