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.
SKERTAR, n. Also skeltar, -er (Marw.). One of various kinds of the sea-weed Laminaria, as Laminaria saccharina (Ork. 1806 P. Neill Tour 191, 1866 Edm. Gl.), Alaria esculenta (Ork. 1929 Marw.), formerly burned for kelp (Ork. 1825 Jam.). See also Skerpo. [′skɛrtər]
[Poss., as Edm. suggests, from O.N. sker, a rock (cf. Skerrie) + þari, tangle, Laminaria.]