Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SUCKEN, n.2 Also suk(ke)n (Jak.). A small drag or grapnel, esp. one used by fishermen in searching for lost lines (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 186; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Abd. 1971). Phr. to gang t' the suckens, to search for lost lines (Gregor).
[Cf. Norw. dial. sokn, O.N. sókn, id., and hence of the same orig. as Sucken, n.1 from the basic notion of seeking.]
