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.
TUSK, n.2, v.1 Sc. usages of Eng. tusk, a projecting tooth:
I. n. 1. Gen. in pl.: projecting stones at the end of a wall for bonding with an adjoining wall, toothing (Sc. 1952 Builder (20 June) 943; Abd., Per., Fif., Lth. 1973). Comb. tusk-stone, id.Sc. 1752 Session Papers, Petition G. Campbell (15 Dec.) 5:
Tusk Stones in the South Gavel of the House.Sc. 1758 Session Papers, Petition P. Geddes (14 Feb.) 5:
Stones adjoining these two Walls together, or Tusk-stones.
2. The projecting wing on the blade of a peat-spade which makes the side-cut (Rs. 1929; Bnff. 1973). The formal similarity to Tusker seems to be fortuitous, though confused in 1962 quot.Bnff. 1902 Banffshire Jnl. (28 Jan.) 6:
The peat spades were of wood shod with iron and with an iron tusk.Abd. 1962 Abd. Press and Jnl. (8 Nov.):
Another spade still in use is the tusk, for cutting peat.
II. v. 1. To bond or join two walls by means of projecting stones. Vbl.n. tuskin(g), the series of stones so projecting, toothing (ne.Sc., Per., Fif., Edb. 1973), comb. tusking-stone, = I.Sc. 1752 Session Papers, Petition G. Campbell (15 Dec.) 5:
To encroach upon the Complainer's said Avenue, by projecting tusking Stones or otherwise.Gsw. 1764 Session Papers, Petition R. Wood (9 Aug.) 6:
No part of either of Robert Wood's side-walls are connected or tusked into said gavel, being only laid to the same.
2. To pluck or pull roughly as when a horse tears hay from a stack (Fif. 1825 Jam.), sc. by using his tusks or canine teeth.
3. To cut peat from above the bank (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 201; n.Sc. 1973). See I. 2.Abd. 1950 Buchan Observer (9 May):
If one day be tusked 1000 to 1100 barrowful of peats at 1/- to 1/3 per 100.Mry. 1951 People's Friend (30 June):
I remember him instructing my sister and myself in the art of “tusking” [peat].
