Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
QUICKEN, v. Also kwikken, hwikken, -in (Sh.). Sc. usage: to ferment, to “work”, of yeast. Also in Eng. dial. Gen. in vbl.n. quickenin, yeast, any fermenting agent.
Comb. quicknen bot, a vessel in which hops fermented for making ale (Mry. 1708 E. D. Dunbar Social Life (1865) 212).Sc. 1707 Household Bk. Lady G. Baillie (S.H.S.) 70:
Sand and oyl 2s. 6d., ale 2s., quicknin 1s.ne.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
Quickenin. Ale or beer in a state of fermentation, thrown into ale, porter, etc. that has become dead or stale.
