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.
HASKY, adj. Also haskey.
1. Of plants: luxuriant, rank; of persons: strong, vigorous (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).Ib.:
A hasky carl, a big raw-boned man.
2. Coarse to the taste, unpalatable (Ib.; Uls.3 1929, haskey); stale, dry (Mry.1 1925).
3. Rough, coarse, dirty, applied to persons, things or actions (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 255; Uls.3 1929).
4. Of flax or fibre: rough, coarse (Sc. a.1873 F. Grose MS. Add. C.; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Uls.3 1929, haskey).Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Tales 146:
For her he shook the hasky strae, An' kav'd the corn fu' neatly.
5. Husky, hoarse (Sc. a.1873 F. Grose MS. Add. C.; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.).Ags. 1791 Caled. Mercury (9 Sept.):
Benorth, black Erse rings rude around; Here, hasky English horns heigh sound; Wi' din eneugh to rive the ground. An' dieve the deid!
