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.
DAMSEL, Dams, n. A damson, a small black plum; originally called a Damascene plum (Sc. 1887 Jam.6, dams, damsels, Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn., damsel). Also damson plume, dawmson — , a damson (Sc. 1900 E.D.D., Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn., dawmson — ).
[Damson plum is gen. applied in Eng. to a fruit similar to the damson, but larger.]
