Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MARLAK, n. Also marlok (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); marlik (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); marlee. The seaweed Zostera marina (Sh. 1962), commonly used for stuffing mattresses (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).Sh. 1956 U. Venables Life in Shet. 40:
Old Inge Abernethy who . . . made it her job to collect and cure this special sea-weed for mattresses. It was called “marlik” or “marlee” and . . . much sought after, being proof against fleas.
