Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†FLOTTER, v. 1. To float, to flounder.Sc. a.1806 Sir Patrick Spens in Child Ballads No. 58 G xiv.:
Mony was the featherbed That flottered on the faem.

2. To splash, cover with liquid.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry 23:
The flotter't table maist was steepit Wi' claret dubs that drapt and dreepit.

3. To bubble in boiling, simmer, sputter.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin iii.:
A muckle pat-fu' o' cow's meat, consistin' o' neeps an chaff, flotterin' an boilin'.