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.
ROT , n., v. Also rot(t)e. Sc. usages:
I. n. Combs.: 1. rot-grass, one of several grasses popularly supposed to affect sheep with the disease known as the rot (see quots.). Also in Eng. dial.; 2. rot-stone, a soft crumbling stone used for cleaning purposes. Cf. Eng. rottenstone.1. Abd. 1777 J. Anderson Essays II. 66:
The Yorkshire sanicle is usually esteemed a poison for sheep; on which account it has obtained its vulgar name rot-grass.Bwk. 1853 G. Johnston Botany E. Borders 164:
Pinguicula Vulgaris. The rot-grass of shepherds, who reckon it prejudicial to cattle.Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm I. 350:
Melica cærulea, fly-bent or rot grass.2. Edb. 1773 Session Papers, Siscatore v. Simpson (30 Dec.):
Some rote-stone and brick-dust to scour knives.Sc. 1819 Scott L. Montrose vi.:
The soldier, who was burnishing his corslet with rotstone and shamois-leather.
II. v. Of ploughed land: to dry out and become friable. Cf. obs. Eng. rotten, friable, of soil.Sc. 1724 Treatise on Fallowing 12:
Fallowing, that is thus long of getting its first Furrow, ought by all Means to have it dry, which produces two Advantages, namely, That that Ground, dry plowed, winds and rots as they call it; the Weeds thereby consume, and what Seeds of them are in the Ground grow freely.
