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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†WAWSPER, n. Also wa(u)sper. A (salmon-)fishing spear, a Leister (Sc. 1887 Jam.). Cf. also Waster, n.2 Despite Jam.6's statement it is somewhat doubtful if the word in this form survived into Mod. Sc.

[O.Sc. wasper, 1472, wawsper, 1547, vauch spear, 1638, id., the first element phs. representing Mid.Eng. waw, waȝien, to shake, wave to and fro, the second being spear. See Waw, n.2]

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