Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DOB, v.1, n.1
1. v. To prick (Sh.10, Ork.2 1948; Mry.1 1925; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 39; Bnff.2 1940; Per., Fif. Wilson; Rs. 1990s; Ork., Bnff. 2000s); “to peck as a bird” (Cai. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.).Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 179:
Please, Sir, James Phillipson dobbit me.
2. n.
(1) A prick (Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 39; Bnff.2 1940); “a peck by a bird” (Cai. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.); a sting.Abd. 1911 C. Wilson in Bnffsh. Jnl. (5 Sept.) 6:
We need oor face gie weel screened in To save us fae a dob.
(2) A thorn (Mry.1 1925; Bnff.2 1940).
Hence dobbie, dobby, having spikes, prickly (Mry.1 1925; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 39; Bnff.2 1940; Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 243).
[Variant of Dab, v.1, n.1, q.v.; cf. jab and Job. The vbl.n. dobbing, pricking, is found in O.Sc. 1601.]
