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.
CRUIKNE, Krøkni, n. A large number, a crowd, of persons, animals, etc. (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; 1908 Jak. (1928), krøkni).
[Prob. from the same root as Norse krjuka, which has, amongst other senses, that of to crawl, to crowd, to be filled with, and krykkja, to swarm, crowd, throng, kryk, a small crowd (Torp).]
