Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HUK, v. Also hok; hoonk, hounk(s); and derivs. huk(e)l, huiggle; huiken, heukan, hecken. [Sh. huk, huŋk(s), hukl; Ork. høgl, høkən]

1. To squat on one's haunches, to crouch down, esp. to crouch over a fire to keep warm (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1957, huiken).Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 114:
Jak heukaned ower the lowan tang.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
“Hukel dee doon” = lower thy stature by bending.Sh. 1948 New Shetlander (Oct. — Nov.) 21:
Jaunie dichts ower her face wi da end o' her nepkin dan hounksis roond ida shair an begins.Sh.¹⁰ 1957:
Made dee huk an made dee crook An made dee turn dy heed aboot. Rhyme said by children when they got another inadvertently to make a certain movement.

2. To shrink or shiver, to cringe with cold (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw., huiggle). Ppl.adj. huiken(d), shivering with cold, having the appearance of being cold, miserable-looking (Ork. 1929 Marw.).Ib.:
What a puir huiken lookan ting.