Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CLEANSING, n. “The coming off of the secundines of a cow” (Sc. 1825 Jam.2, Bnff.2 1937). Cf. Clean, n., above.
[From O.E. clǣnsian, to clean, purge. The v. to cleanse, to discharge the afterbirth, is found in Eng. dial.]
