Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1819, 1957
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TOTTER, v. Sc. usages:
1. As in Eng. In comb. and deriv. (1) totterlogic, senseless talk, esp. when referring to drunken conversation (Kcd. 1921 T.S.D.C.); (2) tottersum, unstable, apt to totter (Bnff. a.1838 Jam. MSS. X. 319).
2. Prob. rather a variant of Tottle, v.1: (1) to ripple, purl, of running water.Ayr. 1819 Kilmarnock Mirror 299:
The burns echoed melody as they tottered alang atween the green braes.
(2) to bubble or bob about gently in boiling water (Ags. 1972). Cf. Hotter.Ags. 1957 Forfar Dispatch (18 April):
A rare een [kettle] that sat on the stove day and nicht. The boolie tottert awa in'd for the furr.
