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.
ROOTER, v., n. [′rutər]
I. v. Gen. with at, up: to work in a rough, careless and hurried manner, to build hurriedly in an insubstantial manner, to make up clothes hurriedly, to mend or patch in a rough, careless way (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 145). Hence vbl.n. and ppl.adj., rooteran, rooterin (Ib.).
II. n. 1. Rude, unskilful work (Ib.).
2. A person of boorish manners (Ib.).
[Orig. uncertain. A deriv. form, phs. from Eng. rout, confusion, disorder, or root, to poke or rummage about, to grub, like a pig.]
