Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FITCH, n.2 Also fetch. Mostly used in pl. Variant forms, also found in Eng. dial., of Eng. vetch, Vicia sativa (Per. 1916 Wilson L. Strathearn 246; w.Fif. 1930, Arg.3, Dmb., Kcb.10 1951). Wild fetches, tufted vetch, Vicia cracca (Clc. 1886 B. and H. 181). Freq. in dim. forms fitchacks, fidgicks, fitchies, 1. common vetch (Mry. 1839 G. Gordon Flora Mry. 23; Nai. 1900 R. Thomson Nat. Hist. Highl. Par. 284, Uls. 1931 North. Whig (16 Dec.), fitchies), Mry. 1951, fitchacks; 2. tufted vetch (Abd. 1886 B. and H. 185). Often attrib. in comb. fidgick piz (Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 190; Abd.27 1951), fitchie peas (Ayr. 1880).Mry. 1733 Lord Elchies' Letters (ed. MacWilliam) 86:
Had ane offered you wou'd also have gott your fitchpease.Abd. 1744 Monymusk Papers (S.H.S.) 136:
Tares, fitches or peas being sowen upon it in spring, & ploughed down in blossom, for manure.Sc. 1776 Kames Gentleman Farmer 189:
Their dry food ought to be white-clover hay, or unthreshed fitches.Sc. 1891 R. Ford Thistledown 184:
V saw her helping herself to an armful of my fitches.Ayr. 1912 G. Cunningham Verse 110:
Fitches for the rabbits.
