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.
Quotation dates: 1818-1847, 1902
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DOCKIE, Docky, adj. and v. Also †doaky; docksy (see -Sie, suff.)
1. adj.
(1) Of a horse: docked, having the tail cut short. Fig. in phr. to be on dockie, see Dock, v. 2 (3).
(2) Neat, tidy, “applied to one who is little and neat, and who takes short steps” (Sc. 1825 Jam.2; Ayr.4 1928).Sc. a.1819 J. Baillie Works (1853) 818:
The docksy auld laird of the Warlock glen, Wha waited without, half blate, half cheery.Ayr. 1847 J. Fulton St Innan's Day 4:
And a' made snod and docky.Dmf. 1902 J. M. Coltart Verses 58:
A douce docky body is Miss Mattie Brown, In a docky wee house she lives in this town.
†2. v. “To move with short steps; always applied to one of small stature” (Lnk. 1825 Jam.2, docky, doaky).
[From Dock, v., 2.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Dockie adj., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dockie_adj_v>
