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.
Quotation dates: 1950-1951
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RAAN, n. A disease of turnips (ne.Sc., Kcb. 1967).Abd. 1950 Abd. Press & Jnl. (13 Jan.):
Particularly widespread among turnip crops on northern farms this winter — due largely to the hot and dry summer conditions — is the disease of raan, or brown heart, which impairs both the flavour and feeding values of the roots for live stock.Abd. 1951 Huntly Express (25 May):
Another disease the farm-folk call “broon-hert” and the scientists call “raan” is prevalent in some seasons.
Hence raaned, ppl.adj., of turnips: affected with this disease (ne.Sc., Kcb. 1967); also fig. of an imperfectly cooked scone: doughy in the middle (Kcb. 1967).
[Possibly fig. usage of Rawn, a fish roe, from a fancied similarity in appearance.]
