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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BOUGHT, BOUCHT, BUGHT, Bucht, n.¹ and v. Cf. Boucht, n.¹ and v.¹ [buxt, bʌuxt, bʌxt]

1. n.

(1) “The bend of the arm, hence the elbow joint” (Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Gloss.). Also transferred to the bend of the leg.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
“The bought of the arm,” the bending of the arm at the elbow.Bnff.² 1930:
Fan Rob fell oot ower th' boat, the rope catch't in th' bucht o's hoch.Abd.(D) 1767 R. Forbes Jnl. from London, etc. (1869) 17; Abd.²², Fif.¹⁰ 1935:
However I took her by the bought o' the gardy, an' gar'd her sit down by me.

(2) A branch or twig; a fork of a tree. Gen. as dim.Ags. 1911 W. Forbes W.-L.:
Bouchty, the fork of a tree; the first fork from the ground.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems, etc. 124:
An' frae ilk boughtie might be seen The early Linnets cheepan Their sang, that day.Ant. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.:
Buchts, the roots or stumps of the plants forming a hedge.

2. v.

(1) To link arms with someone.Sc. 1846 Auld Sc. Brugh in Whistle-Binkie (1st Series) 121:
And when the canvassin' cam' round, the member walked about, And bughted i' the Provost's arm — they sought the Deacons out.

(2) ppl.adj. bughted, buchtit, full of boughs, leafy.Knr. 1891 “H. Haliburton” Ochil Idylls 19:
What whiter gowans wait thy smile On foreign buchtit braes?Rnf. 1807 R. Tannahill Poems and Songs 159:
Far ben thy dark green plantin's shade, The cushat croodles am'rously, The mavis down thy bughted glade, Gars echo ring frae ev'ry tree.