Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

†GARRER, n. Also garrier. A senior boy at George Heriot's Hospital who made a younger boy his fag (see last quot.). See also Garring law.Edb. 1845 F. W. Bedford G. Heriot's Hospital (1859) 347:
But mind, let nane of the garrers ken.Edb. 1898 J. Baillie Walter Crighton 15:
They say . . . that once upon a time long ago the garriers got a kid up there and killed him.Edb. 1910 Scotsman (3 Sept.):
In the fag system of the old George Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh, the garrer was “one who compelled the younger boys to do anything required.” After a boy had been five years in the institution, he was duly recognised by his companions as a garrer.