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.
¶SCULF, v., n.
I. v. To strip off the top layer of turf from the ground.Sh. 1884 Crofter's Comm. Report App. A, L, 225:
He is not allowed to take fowls or sculf from the hill. The tennants . . . are not allowed to sculf the ground when there is nothing but a turf on top of the channel.
II. n. The top layer of turf (see quot. above.)
[Appar. a conflation of scalp and phs. Scuff, v., 4. but the authenticity of the word is somewhat doubtful.]
