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.
HUMLIBAND, n. Also hum(b)la-, hum(b)le-, humbli(e)-, hom(b)li, hommli-, hummle-; -baand, -baund. A strap or ring of twisted rope used in Ork. and Sh. for securing an oar to its thole-pin, a grummet (Sh. 1825 Jam.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh. 1957); occas. the hinge of a flail (Sh. 1957).Sh. 1836 Gentleman's Mag. (Dec.) 590:
Meggie hed british'd Annie's spleet niu herin teddir se sma itt de wirr no a krum atill'd itt kud a been a humblaband till a whillie.Sh. 1892 Manson's Sh. Almanac:
Cut an rexed da tar ledder o da grice for humbliebaands.Sh. 1932 J. Saxby Trad. Lore 97:
He rowes to nae sense that rowes wi'oot a humlabaund.Sh. 1938 M. Powell 200,000 Feet on Foula 219:
Shetland boats are not fitted with effete Southern gadgets like rowlocks: instead they have a kabe, which they stick into the ruths; round the kabe and the oar they twist a hommliband — and are all set.
