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: 1930
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SMELT, n.2 Also smilt; smelch, smilch, smulch. A calm patch on the sea (Cai. 1903 E.D.D., Mry. (smelch, smulch), Kcd. (smilch) 1911); a smooth, oily surface made on the sea by throwing out mashed limpets, etc., to lure fish (Ork. 1929 Marw.). Hence smelty (Ayr. 1930), smulchy, of water: calm, oily, smooth. Cf. Smolt, adj. [smɛlt, smɪlt(ʃ), smʌltʃ]Bnff. 1930:
There wis a smilt aboot twal o' clock fan we took roon the boatie t' the herbir.
