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.
GURGE, v., n. See also Grudge, v.2, n.2 and Gorge, n., v. [gʌrdʒ]
I. v. 1. intr. To swell, surge, lit. and fig., esp .of water, “to rise or swell up turbulently by reason of being obstructed or stemmed back” (ne.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1955).Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize I. xxiii.:
Marion attempted to laugh scornfully, but her heart gurged within her, and . . . her voice broke out into wild and horrid yells.
2. tr. With up: to choke or stem up, stop up, obstruct, “in the manner of ice in a river” (Rxb. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry, Gl. s.v. gurd; Sh.10 1955), or of flood-water (ne.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
The ice is gurgin' up the burn.
II. n. A surge, a violent choking movement, of the heart or emotions.Ayr. 1822 Blackwood's Mag. (Sept.) 320:
The heart of Mrs Goroghan gave a suffocating gurge and gurgle at this intelligence, and she could barely preserve the decorum of silence.
