Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DWARRY-BACK, n. comb. “Of an animal — an ill-thriving, stunted, ugly-looking beast” (Ork. 1929 Marw.).
[Prob. *dverg-bagg(i), from O.N. dvergr, a dwarf, and baggi, a pack or bundle; cf. Icel. dverg-hundr, a dog without a tail, from its dwarfed shape, and Norw. dial. bagg, a year-old calf.]
