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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.

GLAGGER, v., n.

I. v. To be avid, to desire eagerly, to long (Bnff.⁴ 1927; Abd.² 1940; Mry., Abd. 1954); to search eagerly (for); gen. used as ppl.adj. = very eager, longing.Abd. 1895 G. Williams Scarbraes 54:
“Wadna tak' it [a drink] mysel',” exclaimed the foreman, “that's a guid ane. Man, I was a' glaggerin' for't.”Abd. 1901 Abd. Wkly. Free Press (24 Aug.):
I've been perwherin' tae the middle amon' the water for twa hours glaggerin' for the loon.Mry.¹ 1925:
He's jist glaggerin tae get at it.Abd.² 1932:
Sandy, aye glaggerin' for a bargain, bocht at the tail en' o' the roupie a' the gweed-for-naething baggage at a mere wanworth.

II. n. Desire, greed.Abd. 1899 Abd. Wkly. Free Press (22 July):
Atween the glagger for siller an' the pantin' for learnin', there's nae time left for muckle else.