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.
¶RÜTER, n. Sh. sea-taboo name for the piked dog-fish, Squalus acanthias (Sh. 1814 Irvine MSS.).
[Orig. obscure. ? Ad. Norw. røyta, to gore, stab, sc. ‘the stabber', from the wounds it can inflict with its dorsal spines when caught.]
