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.
RUTHER, n.1 Also routher (Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems 175); rodder (Sh. 1916 J. Burgess Rasmie's Smaa Murr (Aagust 30), Abd. 1923 Banffshire Jnl. (8 May) 10). Sc. forms of Eng. rudder (Dmb. 1817 J. Walker Poems 101; Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 38; Sc. 1829 R. Chambers Sc. Songs II. 373).
[These forms may derive partly from St. Eng., partly from Mid.Du. roder, roeder, id. The Sc. historical form is Rither, q.v. For th see D, letter, 4. O.Sc. has roder, 1602.]
