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.
†ETTERLIN, n. A two-year old cow or heifer with calf (Per., Rnf. 1825 Jam.2, Arg. 1936 L. McInnes Dial. S. Kintyre 28). Also etterling, etterlen.Ayr. 1829 G. Robertson Recollections 574:
A very considerable portion are annually sold. . . . This is more especially the case with the etterlins, as they are called, being queys in calf in their third year.Rnf. 1863 N. B. Daily Mail (5 May):
Everything fetched good prices, the principal buyers being people residing in the district, or about Paisley and Johnstone. Among the live stock, some very fine etterlings brought over £12 a head.Arg. 1882 Arg. Herald (3 June):
Ye see, we hae an unco crap o' stouins in the yaird ee noo, mair nor the etterlen, the crazy tor, can mak uish o'.
