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.
SPOONGE, n., v. Also spounge, spunge. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. sponge (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 6, Arg. c.1850 in Colville (1909) 115; Abd. 1932 D. Campbell Bamboozled 55; ‡Bwk. 1942 Wettstein, Rxb. 1942 Zai, as v.). [spu:ndʒ]
I. n. 1. As in Eng. Comb. and deriv. (1) sponge-heather, see quot.; (2) spungie, “liquor in a state of fermentation” (Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 174).Bwk. 1853 G. Johnston Botany E. Borders 261:
The Polytrichum vulgare, from its superior size and heathery habit, has got the name of silver-heather or sponge-heather, and is sometimes manufactured into neat brushes and door-mats.
2. Putrid moisture or mucus which oozes from the mouth, nostrils, etc. after death (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.). Cf. Dive, n.
II. v. 1. intr. To ooze moisture, specif. of a dead body frothing at the mouth (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.). Cf. I. 2.Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 93:
Sips o' it seem to come spunging Out frae your mouth.
2. tr. Of sheep: to range an area in search of food.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck iii.:
A' the gairs that they [sheep] used to spounge.
3. intr. To prowl about, esp. in the hope of finding something.Rxb. 1825 Jam.:
There he's gaun spoongin' about.
