Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DOURLACH, n. Appar. an outcry, furore, public concern and reprobation. The word is nonce and of dubious authority.Slg. 1885 A. Murray Poems 6, 10:
A dowie dourlach drags me doon Wi' dowff regret . . [A ghost] that hauds th' country roon in clamour, An' breeds a dourlach.
[Poss. thought of as a deriv of Dour, formally influenced by Dorlach.]
