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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GARRON, n.2 Also garran (e.Per. 1900 E.D.D.), †-en (Abd. 1743 Powis Papers (S.C.) 287), †gurran, garra; gallan (Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; Bnff.4 1927; Ork., Cai. 1954). A length of squared timber, a beam. Hence garron-nail, a large broad-pointed nail, a spike nail, esp. such as is used in fixing the body of a cart to the axle (Ags. 1705 in R. Finlayson Royal Burgh of Arbroath (1923) 19; Inv.1 1890; Sh., Ork., Abd., Fif. 1953), also simply garron (Per.4 1950).Ayr. 1703 Ayr. Presb. Reg. MS. (3 Nov.):
For threttie six gurran naills, eight pound of iron one pound four shilling.Abd. 1717 Abd. Jnl. N. & Q. VII. 268:
1 Aprile — For ane oaken garron for boxeing the laigh chimnay in John Peiries house 12 shil.Mry. 1732 W. Cramond Birnie Rec. (1903) 20:
100 garron nails 9 inches long for stamping the old roof of the choir £4 Sc.Abd. 1758 Aberdeen Jnl. (25 April):
A parcel of Deals, Fir-Logs, Oak-garrons, Bed-Stoups, and other wrecked timber.Bnff.2 1930:
Fin ye tak that cairt t' the smiddy gar them pit in new garra-nails.

[O.Sc. has garro(u)n, etc., a short wooden beam, from 1543, a nail for use with garrons from 1616, also garro(u)n-nail, etc., from 1506. Of uncertain origin, phs. O. North. Fr. *garron = O.Fr. jarron, a branch of a tree. Cf. Cadden-nail, Cannon-, Carron-, id.]

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