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.
TABOUR, v., n. Also tab(b)er. [′tɑbər]
I. v. To beat, belabour, thrash (Fif. c.1850 Peattie MS.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; m. and s.Sc. 1972). Vbl.n. tabourin, a thrashing, hiding (Id.). Obs. in Eng. See also Toober.Fif. 1882 J. Simson Inverkeithing 23:
She, began to give me what, in the language of the place, was called a “tabbering”.s.Sc. 1904 W. G. Stevenson Glen Sloken xi.:
I wad a' got a taberin' onywey.Dmf. 1925 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. XIII. 40:
I gied that dog a taberin' wi' my stick.
II. n. In pl.: a beating, drubbing (Lnk. 1825 Jam.).
[Extended usage of Eng. tabo(u)r, a drum, to beat on a drum, Fr. tabour(er), id.]
