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.
Quotation dates: 1898
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TAAVE, n., v. Also ta(a)v. [tɑ:v]
I. n. Gen. in coll. sense: clouts, rags, tattered pieces of cloth used for stuffing up a hole (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), tav, Sh. 1972).
II. v. 1. To plug (timbers) with oakum, etc., to caulk (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 216, 1908 Jak. (1928), tav, 1914 Angus Gl., taav, Sh. 1972).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (24 Dec.):
Yon bit o' rent could a been taav'd up for a while.
2. To tear, rend (Cai. 1972).
[Ad. Norw. dial. tave, cloth, rag, tatter, O. Dan. tave, bundle of flax or wool, fibres, cogn. with O.N. þefja, to beat, pound, þófi, felt, matted wool, etc.]