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.
Quotation dates: 1902, 1963
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†SPRUNT, v.2, n. [sprʌnt]
I. v. To filch some of the yarn given by a customer to make cloth, a practice of handloom weavers (Fif. 1921 T.S.D.C.).
II. n. The yarn a weaver contrived to keep for himself from a web (Ib.; Fif. 1950). Also attrib. = dishonest, pilfering.Fif. 1902 D. S. Meldrum Conquest of Charlotte iii. iv.:
The tailor has his cabbage and the weaver his sprunt.Fif. 1963 Mrs A. M. Findlay MS.:
Her regal attire "nae doot bocht oot o' her sprunt transactions."
