Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HALIN, n. A Sh. fisherman's tabu-name for a cow (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), ‡Sh. 1956), also halen (Ib.), hajllen (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.).
[Prob. = the tailed one, from O.N. hali, the tail.]