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.

DAM, n.² “The quantity of urine discharged at once; a term generally applied to children” (Sc. 1825 Jam.²). Known to Bnff.², Abd.² 1939.

†Phrs.: 1. to lowse one's dams, to urinate; 2. to make one's dam, id. (Sc. 1808 Jam.); 3. to tine one's dam, “to bepiss one's self” (Sc. 1825 Jam.²).1. Sc. a.1876 in Court of Session Garland (1871) 283:
I studied diuretics . . . An' attempted hydrostatics To lowse my dams.2. Ayr. 1786 Burns Earnest Cry xxxi.:
Till whare ye sit, on craps o' heather, Ye tine your dam.