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.
YALDER, v., n. Also yolder, jalder (Jak.); yaller (Cai.). [′jɑldər; Ork. ′joldər; Cai. ′jɑlər]
I. v. 1. To bark loudly and repeatedly, esp. of a dog in pursuit (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; I.Sc. 1974).Sh. 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 204:
A dog yalders when pursuing friend or foe.
2. Transf. of a person: to speak in a loud voluble manner.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 55:
He spak wi' a kind o' yalderin voice.
II. n. 1. The loud, continuous barking of a dog (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928)).
2. A loud shouting, vociferous yelling (Sh. 1911 Old-Lore Misc. IV. iv. 173).
[Deriv. freq. form from Norw. dial. hjal, a scream, yell, O.N. hjal(dr), chatter, Norw. dial. jala, to yell. There may have been some formal influence from Galder.]
