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.
RUMMAGE, v., n. Also Sc. forms romage (Slk. 1825 Hogg Queen Hynde (1874) 199); rummitch (Rnf. a.1850 Crawfurd MSS. (N.L.S.) R.63). Sc. usages:
I. v. 1. To knock anything about violently (Rnf. a.1850 Crawfurd MSS. (N.L.S.) R.63). Rare or obs. in Eng.
2. To rage, to storm (Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Rnf. a.1850 Crawfurd MSS. (N.L.S.) R.63).
3. To make a noise in searching for something (Abd.13 1909; Abd., Ags. 1968). Cf. Reemish.
II. n. A great noise, commotion or turmoil, an obstreperous din (Rxb. 1825 Jam.). Obs. in Eng.Abd. 1883 G. Macdonald D. Grant lvii.:
Up gat sic a romage i' the servan' ha', straucht aneth whaur I was lyin.