Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†DEBUISH, DEBUSH, Debuck, v. To oust, a term used in the game of ninepins; “to prevent any design from being carried on” (Cld. 1825 Jam.2).Ayr. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 V. 223, Note:
For instance, should 40 be the game, and one side stood at 35, if the player whose turn it was to play overturned six kyles that side was “debuished,” which meant that they resumed their former position in the game, while the “debuisher” played the stroke over again.
Hence 1. debuction (see quot. below); 2. debuisher (see above quot.); 3. debushen, vbl.n., in phr. ¶to get one's debushens, to get one's congé, to be sent packing.1. Cld. 1825 Jam.2:
In the game above mentioned, if a player strike down more of the pins than make up the number required in the game, he loses thirteen. This is called a debuction.3. Dmb. 1846 W. Cross Disruption xxxiii.:
I mean to write to her whenever I see McCorkle get his debushens.
