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.
NAP, v.2 To recoil, spring back (Uls. 1963); specif. of a fishing line, see quot.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 117:
When a [fishing] line becomes entangled on the bottom, it is pulled with as great a strain as possible, and then suddenly let go. The recoil commonly causes the hook to spring, and the line is said to nap.
