Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SWAD, n.¹ Also swedd. A soldier (Sc. 1825 Jam., “a cant term”; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein, swad(dy)). Gen.Sc. slang, also in dial. or colloq. Eng.Lth. 1787 W. Taylor Poems 170:
For a swad or sailor sell you.Ayr. 1818 J. Kennedy Poems 81:
An' humble swad, without a coin.Edb. 1844 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie x.:
Ilk struttin' swad, ilk reelin' sailor.Gsw. 1868 J. Young Poems 146:
He's been wi' the sodgers, an' fegs the auld swad At haunlin' the taws seems a gey sicker lad.Knr. 1917 J. L. Robertson Petition 11:
Your swedds will fire a few-de-joy O' stinkin pouther.