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.
Quotation dates: 1856
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GIRRAN, n. A small boil or pustule (Dmf. 1825 Jam.; Cai.8, Arg.3, ‡Ayr. 1954). Also guran (Sc. 1808 Jam.), girron (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 449, Kcb.4 1900), guiran (Arg. 1882 Argsh. Herald (3 June)), ¶gern (Ayr. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.), gurrag (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 74), gurry (Rs. 1911).Rnf. 1856 per wm.Sc.1:
Your father seems bothered very much with the girrans. . . . I hope when lanced he will get relief.
Hence guranie, adj., full of small boils (Cld. 1825 Jam.).
[Gael. guirean, a pimple, pustule, gur, festering, pimple, with alternative dim. endings -ag, -y.]
