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.
DRATSI(E), n. A tabu-name for the otter used by Sh. fishermen (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; 1908 Jak. (1928), dratsi; 1914 Angus Gl.; 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 202, dratsie).
[From drats s.v. Dratch, above, from the otter's habit of trailing its tail on the ground when moving.]
