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.
SOUT, n., v. Also soutt, †sott (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.), sowt. [sʌut]
I. n. A sudden leap, bounce, start, jolt or bump such as when a plough strikes against a stone (Gall. 1825 Jam., Gall. 1971); transf., such a stone (Ayr. 1930; Gall. 1971).Wgt. 1804 R. Couper Poetry I. 193:
The hard-han'd plowman minds nae soutts.Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 156:
Sout, a leap, applied when the plough leaps up by striking a hidden stone. Also used when on a haystack. “Give it a sout” — i.e., leap up so as to press it down.
II. v. 1. To jolt, jar, bounce, as a plough does when it strikes against a stone (Wgt. 1804 R. Couper Poetry II. 302, sowt).
2. To shake or heave convulsively with sobs (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).Ags. 1821 in A. Lowson J. Guidfollow (1890) 234:
She soutin said, “I've lost a lad, Wha lo'ed me lang an' leal.”Ags. 1879 Forfar Poets (Fenton) 147:
She sat an soutit i' the nook.
