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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DRUSH, n.¹, v. Also †drosh. Sc. forms of Eng. dross; see P.L.D. § 67. [drʌʃ]

1. n. Small fragments, powdery refuse, e.g. of coal, pine-needles, etc.; gen. used of the dross of peats (Mry.¹ 1925; Bnff. 1825 Jam.²; Bnff.², Abd.⁹ 1946). Used fig. = rubbish, dust and ashes. Adj. drushy, drossy, powdery, of coal, etc. (ne.Sc. 1975).Sh. 1891 J. J. H. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 64:
O laawirs, ministers, an lairds, An siccan drush.Mry. after 1750 Pluscarden MS. 120:
The Pluscarden peats . . . when fully dried were apt to be broken into “drush”.Bnff. 1869 W. Knight Auld Yule 11:
The auld man said, “the house will gae To drush about our lugs some day, Ere we're aware.”Abd. 1863 P.S.A.S. IV. 386:
The floor was . . . formed of earth, with a good deal of bits of peat or “drush”.Abd. 1903 W. Watson Auld Lang Syne 92:
The particles which had been broken off the peats in handling . . . were wheeled in boxbarrows to a place accessible to carts, and known as drush, an “aise backetfu'” of which was used every morning for “backin' the hearth” when the fire was lighted.em.Sc. 1706 Mare of Collingtoun in J. Watson Choice Coll. i. 44:
Ran to the Mill and fetcht the Lowder, Wherewith he hit her on the Shou'der, That he dang't all to drush like Powder.

2. v. “To crumble, crush, fall to pieces; to spoil, to go wrong, fail” (Sc. 1887 Jam.⁶, drush, drosh).