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.
‡OOTHY, n. Also uthy. A smooth surface made on the sea by throwing out crushed limpets or mussels as inshore bait for coal-fish (Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1964). Cf. Linyo, Soe. [′uði]
[Prob. the same word as Sh. Norn (w)od, a shoal of (coal-)fish, from Norw. dial. vada, to move, esp. of animals making their way through their food, and of fish, swimming near the surface of the water, Faer. vaða, O.N. vaða, id., but the phonology of the Ork. form is somewhat irregular.]
