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.
SOOSH, v., n. Also sush. [suʃ]
I. v. 1. To beat, flog, punish severely (Ayr. 1825 Jam.), to deal rigorously with. Vbl.n. sooshin, a beating, a drubbing (Ib.).Abd. 1882 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 180:
He mith 'a gotten 'im weel soosh't afore the shirra.Abd. 1918 C. Murray Sough o' War 28:
We henched an' flang, an' killed a curn, an' soosh't them front an' flank.
†2. To taunt or upbraid (Ayr. 1825 Jam.). Vbl.n., sooshin(g), taunting, abusive language (Ib.).Ayr. 1821 Scots Mag. (April) 351:
I wad hae written you lang or now, gin it warna for the sooshing whilk a kintra landert maun rin the risk o'.
3. tr. and intr. To swill, splash, wash over (ne.Sc. 1971).Mry. 1887 W. Tester Poems 108:
Her phiz looks as if — tis sae clootit an scrattit, It ne'er had been soosht sin the howdie was at it.Bnff. 1923 Banffshire Jnl. (19 June) 8:
The watter began t' soosh inower, an' weesh't awa'.
†II. n. A heavy blow (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 174).
[Orig. partly onomat., but phs. associated in the speakers' minds with Eng. swish and souse with sim. meanings.]
