Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1866-1882
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‡SCAMP, v., n. Sc. usages:
I. v. To go about in an idle manner, to roam, rove around, with aboot, through, often with the idea of intended mischief (Bnff. 1969); with aff: to run off, decamp.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 148:
Twa ill-leukin' gaabrils o' chiels hae been scampin' aboot through the queentry.Lnk. 1882 A. Nimmo Songs Cld. 170:
Ye rogues o' low and high degree Scamp off wi' fear and quakin'.
II. n. Idle wandering, roaming about (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 148).
[Specif. usages of Eng. (orig. cant) scamp, to wander about, a foot-pad, rascal, prob. ad. Du. schampen, to decamp, run away, be gone. Cf. freq. scamper.]
