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.
STALE, v.2 Of corn, with out: to shoot up from the green blade, to form a stalk, to tiller (Arg.1 1937).
[Cf. Eng. dial., Mid.Eng. stale, stalk, stem, O.E. stalu, an upright, stela, stalk.]