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.
†GAFF-NET, n. comb. "The largest sort of net, which stretches nearly across a river, and is dragged by two men, one on each bank, with long poles, to which the ends of the nets are fixed. The lower part is sunk by means of lead; the upper is buoyed up by cork. This kind of net is common in Tweed." (Sc. 1808 Jam.).
[First element prob. the same as Eng. dial. gaff, a staff or stick armed with an iron hook.]