Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

WHISS, v.², n.² Also hwiss; kwiss (Jak.), quiss. [ʍɪs; kwɪs]

I. v. 1. To trim off rough edges, to dress (stone) (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1974); fig. to scold severely (Sh. 1974).Sh. 1897 Shetland News (18 Sept.):
Haand doo me da hammer. A'll hae ta quiss dis ane a bit.

2. tr. To husk; to eat corn by biting the kernel with the teeth and spitting out the husk (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1974); also of birds stripping ears of corn; intr. with out, of corn: to come out from the husk when pressed.Sh. 1894 Williamson MSS. (14 March):
Dey whisst it up da same as it had been hens.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (22 Oct.):
Strippin' aff a rip [of oats] an' pittin' a puckle in his mooth ta whiss.Sh. 1905 E.D.D.:
Wir corn is dat lean dat it canna whiss out.Sh. 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 181:
I saw Johnie o' the Knowes whissin corn oot o' my burden.Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 96:
Dan hit püd some Trowie corn, Für ta whiss apo da wye.

3. To pick the bones of an animal, to eat up entirely (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. 228, 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1974).Sh. 1892 Shetland News (22 Oct.):
Kill her, Berry, Berry, whiss her.

II. n. A morsel, scrap of food (Sh. 1974).Sh. 1905 E.D.D.:
The cats didna leave ae whiss o' flesh upo da tee o da lamb.