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.

TARRAGAT, v. To question strictly and persistently (Sc. 1825 Jam.); to tease, torment with questions (Per. 1972); to pester (Sh., Fif. 1972). Pa.p. tarragat, -it. Hence tarragatan, tarragation, a strict cross-examination (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 190).Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin iii., v.:
He started the tarragation anent baptism. . . . We were tarragat on the subject a' roond.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) v.:
He tarragats the wife most unmercifu'.em.Sc. (a) 1896 Scots Mag. (Aug.) 220:
I'm fair tarragit wi' 'im. I'm jist tellin' ye plenly.