Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FLORY, I. n.², v.  Also florry. In combs.: 1. flor(r)y boat, a boat carrying passengers to and from steamers which cannot get alongside a pier at low water (Sc. 1863 A. Young Nautical Dict.); 2. floryman, a man who works a flory boat. Hence floryman's dip, see quot.Fif. 1860 H. Farnie Fife Coast 48:
At that time steamers afforded the usual means of transit to the opposite coast, and were boarded by means of flory boats, large, flat, and open.Ib. 49:
He was not very fond of active pulling, the old floryman; no, his oar gently lifted and fell into the water with that easy propelling motion known of old as the “floryman's dip,” and much derided by all the small urchins paddling about in the harbour boats.Fif. 1887 G. Gourlay Our Old Neighbours 23:
Embarking as soon as he was convalescent for the Forth, on board the steam packet “Velocity,” he landed in the “florry” boat at Anster.

II. v.: To act as a tender, to ferry passengers to a steamer.Fif. 1831 Fife Herald (17 March):
The above hours are for the departure of the Boats: Florying at least a quarter of an hour previous.