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.
SPROOT, v. Also sprut. Used tr. and absol. To spout, eject in a gush, emit sparks; to spirt from the mouth, spit (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1971). Comb. sprootin braand, a torch made of a burning peat. [sprut]Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 13:
Sprootin' da soe weel oot till da water is clear wi' da lumie.Sh. 1947 Sh. Folk Bk. (Tait) I. 2:
Travelling across moorland bogs was no easy matter on a pitch dark night. . . . This difficulty was generally overcome to some extent at least, by making use of a sprootin' braand. A long straight peat was selected, and one end stuck in the fire until it was alight. The burning peat was held aloft, and fanned by the breeze, made a fairly serviceable torch.
