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.
DAFFINS, n.pl. The cords used to fasten drift-nets to the Back-rope (Ork. 1929 Marw.; Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 70; Cai.7 1939; Mry.1 1916). [′dafins (Marw.)]Mry.4 1933:
My friend told me that the word Ossil was used about 25 years ago for the 3 ply cotton cord which they used for fixing the main net to the ropes. About that time fishermen began to use a 2 ply cord, to which they gave the word Daffin. They are still so called.
