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.
‡SPOUTHER, n. [′spu:ðər]
1. A hubbub, commotion, outburst of excitement or emotion (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. a.1860 J. Younger Autobiog. (1881) 35:
Our hearts would grow case-hardened a'thegither an' it werena thae bits o' spouthers to stir up our kindlier feelings now an' then.
2. A thin shower of rain (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
[For the form cf. Eng. dial. sputher, spudder, a fuss, disturbance, prob. related to pudder, pother, but there has been semantic influence from Spout, sputter and Pouther.]
