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.
DURKIN, Durgan, -on, n.
1. Applied to anything short, thick and strong, hence a short, thick-set person (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 42, Bnff.2 1941; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn., durgan). Also in Eng. dial. in form durgan.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 42:
A durkin o' a knife: A durkin o' a club.
2. “A big person of a bad disposition” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 42, durgon).
[Gael. durcan, dim. of durc, a lump or piece of anything, a clumsy knife. For sense 2., cf. Gael. duaircean a surly, base fellow. Cf. Durk, n.2, adj.]
