Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

BYOCK, Byok, v. and n.¹ ne.Sc. forms of Bock, q.v. [bjɔk]

1. v. To retch; to gush out; “to issue with a sudden rush as from the mouth in sickness, or water released from a choked drain” (Bnff.² 1927; Abd.², Ags.² 1938).Abd.(D) 1924 J. Coutts in Swatches o' Hamespun 62:
The reek cam byockin oot, An' it a' bit blint the wifie as she fummelt roon aboot.Bch.(D) 1929 J. Milne Dreams o' Buchan 14:
I The slivver throwe his beard did sype, He hoastit till he byokit.

2. n. A retch, vomiting (Bnff.², Abd.⁹ 1938).Bnff.¹² 1900:
“The whal' gied a byock — naething cam: the whal' gied anither byock — and still naething cam. An' the whal' gied a thurd byock — an' oot cam Jonah.” Heard in a pulpit 60 years ago.