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.
CROPPEN, KROPP(E)N, Cropen, ppl.adj., v., n. Also crappen, craupen. [′krɔpən, ′krɑ(:)pən]
1. ppl.adj. Bent, twisted, contracted, shrunk (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), kroppen); “applied to a vessel, a hook, army, etc.” (Sh., Ork. 1898 E.D.D., croppen). Also in n.Eng. dial. (E.D.D.).Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 65:
Doo may tank Him 'at made dee 'at doo haes sheep i' da hill, an' Girzzie's twa haands, cropen wi' da roomatism as dey ir, or dan doo'd been gaein' stark midder nakid.
2. v. Found only in ppl.adj. = 1. above; “contracted, shrunk, narrowed; having the sides drawn towards each other” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., kroppn'd). Known to Ork.1 1929 as applied to roasted liver (see second quot. below).Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. (1922) 94:
Many . . . were “sairly crappened wi' the rheumatics.”Ib. 103:
Sometimes when “kitchen” was scarce these roasted livers, when all the oil was removed, were rolled in oatmeal and eaten, but “craupened liver” was a strong morsel to digest.
3. n. “A crooked or bent person” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[O.N. kroppinn, shrivelled, shrunken, bent.]
