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: 1804, 1866-1964
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TREESH, v., n., int. Also treesch, traesh (Abd. 1905 E.D.D.), freq. treeshle; treece; also nonce forms threish, and, by conflation with Tryst, treeste, trysht. [triʃ, tris]
I. v. 1. Gen. followed by wi: to entreat, wheedle, cajole, entice in a kind and flattering way (n.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Abd. 1973). Vbl.n. treeshin, cajoling, coaxing.Abd. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 9:
My pipe bein' in elegiac tift, It needs nae treeshin.Abd. 1928 Abd. Book-Lover VI. 14:
Wi' the brawest big laird in the hail rin o' Don He wadna be tryshtet his haudin' to trock.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 202:
They're a' rinnin' at yer tail an' treeshin wi' ye.Bnff. 1955 Banffshire Jnl. (1 Nov.):
Wullie hed treesht wi' Peter Vricht, the coalman, tae come wi' his coal-larry tae cairt hame the skeps o' bees.Kcd. 1958 Mearns Leader (17 Oct.):
He's a girnin' auld deevil, but treesh awa' wi' him an' ye'll get on fine.
2. intr., with at, efter: to run after, to dance attendance on, to court (Bnf., Abd. 1973). Vbl.n. threishin, "courting" (n.Sc. 1825 Jam.).Abd. 1913 W. R. Melvin Caller Herrin' 30:
Gin it wis me, he widna treesh lang at my tail.Abd. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 73:
Div ye think Aw'm aye treeshlin aifter her?
3. To call an animal to oneself (Abd. 1925).Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxvi.:
Gyaun treeshin' an' ca'in aboot at nowte beasts.Bnff. 1953 Banffshire Jnl. (14 July):
Sandy treeshed an' fraised wi't [a pig].Abd. 1964 Abd. Press & Jnl. (14 Nov.):
Treeshin hame the calvers at the ley-park yett.
II. n. Enticement, flattery, cajolery.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 197:
They keepit an unco treesch wee'im afore they got 'im cuddlet in the wye o' thir dothir.
III. int. A call to cattle, esp. calves, to come to one (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 197; Bnff., Abd. (treesh), Ags., Per. 1973).Ags. 1893 Arbroath Guide (3 June) 3:
Marget's brither began to cry, 'Coey, coey, coey, trushie, treesh, treesh, treesh, an' presently a' the cattle began to come toward him.ne.Sc. 1946 Scots Mag. (June) 169:
The cry of Dilly! Dilly! became varied with the cry of Treeste! Treeste! for the two cows were added to Phemie's responsibilities.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick iii.:
"Treece, treece, treece," she cried to the calves.
