Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

YAAG, v.¹ Also yagg; jagg (Jak.). Deriv. yaggle. [jɑ(:)g]

1. In fishing: to keep the line constantly in motion, to jerk the hook up and down (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; I.Sc. 1974); tr. to catch (fish) by this means.Sh. 1883 J. R. Tudor Ork. and Sh. 137:
Coal fish are caught when it [the tide] slackens, by yaaging, that is jerking the bait up and down rapidly.Sh. 1892 Manson's Sh. Almanac:
It'll gaeng ill ta wark if we canna yaag twartrie saide pilticks.

2. intr. To be importunate, persist irritatingly with questions or requests, to nag or harp on (Sh. 1825 Jam., 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw.; I.Sc. 1974). Also tr. with at (Jak.). Freq. form yaggle, to wrangle (Ork. 1929 Marw.).Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 5:
Fae da dim rives till black dayset, shü's yaag, yaag, yaagin.Sh. 1918 T. Manson Peat Comm. 108:
He tells you ithoot yarpin an yaagin.