Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LOUTCH, v., n. Also louch. [lutʃ]

I. v. 1. To walk with the head down and the shoulders hunched, to slouch (Fif. 1825 Jam.; Abd., Kcd., Ags., m.Lth., Wgt. 1961), to move in a crouching, awkward or furtive manner. Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1714 W. Fraser Hist. Carnegies (1867) 283:
Keep your head straight, and do not louch with your shoulders.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 162:
Thy hoary head and loutching shoulders incline to mortality.Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems 111:
And when ye weed them [potatoes], ye maun louch Just on your hunkers.

2. To pull down the brim of one's hat, to slouch.Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 190:
And should she refuse, I'll louch my auld bonnet.

II. n. A slouching gait, a stoop (Abd., Kcd., m.Lth. 1961).Abd. 1960:
He gings wi a loutch.