Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SOOTHER, v. [′suðər]

1. To soothe, to calm. Also in Ir. dial.Lth. 1883 M. Oliphant It was a Lover i.:
I'll no get her soothered doon till she's in her ain stable.Sc. 1953 Scots Mag. (Aug.) 418:
The mither sings a sootherin tune til a waukrif loon.Ayr. 2000:
Only a sympathetic adult could 'soother' awa a wean's 'tirrivee'.

2. To coax, to cajole, to flatter (Uls. 1953 Traynor). Also in n. Eng. and Ir. dial.; to wheedle.Uls. 1864 J. Boyce Mary Lee 282:
I tried to soother her, but ye might as well try to soother a weasel.Arg. 1901 N. Munro Doom Castle xxxv.:
Mony a lee I tauld doon there i' the clachan to soother them oot o' butter and milk.Sc. 1925 Scots Mag. (Dec.) 192:
Deil a bit o' sootherin'! It's jeest the plain truth I'm tellin' ye.