Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CREP, v. See quot.:Arg. 1914 J. M. Hay Gillespie ii vii.:
A common practice on these occasions, on moonless autumnal nights, was to strike the anchor on the bow head as the skiff sailed along, and startle the fish, which darted away trailing fire. On such nights this loud noise of “crepping the anchors” could be heard all over the fleet.
[From a Gaelicised form of Knap, v., to rap, strike sharply.]
