Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NAM, v., n. Also n(y)a(u)m, njam, nom (Jak.). [n(j)ɑm]

I. v. 1. To seize quickly and rather violently, to grab (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); to touch, lay hands on (Sh. 1963). Also fig. to catch someone out, to take someone at a disadvantage.Rxb. 1825 Jam.:
It sometimes includes the idea of the disappointment the person meets with, of whom the advantage is taken; as “Aha! I've nam'd ye there, my lad.”

2. To seize between the teeth, to chew, to eat greedily (Slk. 1825 Jam., nyam; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Sh. 1963, nyam). Also in reduplic. form nyim-nyam.Slk. 1917 H. J. C. Clippings from Clayboddie (1921) 191:
They will nam it up and look for more.Abd. 1935:
He was sittin' there nyim-nyammin' awa' like a puggy.Rxb. 1951:
The stirks 'll fairly nam it up.

Hence nyaumie, tasty.Abd. 1911 Kenilworth Mag. (Oct.) 86:
Efter a bit o' a tyuave she bakit twa richt nyuamie [sic] anes [bannocks].

3. To take a morsel of food, esp. with relish, gen. used with the neg. (Sh. 1963). Hence n(j)amin, a morsel of food (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1963), a little bit; by extension, in dim., a short space of time, a little while (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., nammonie).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He couldno njam it. Naa, my lamb, I couldno njam dis. . . . I'll tak a njamin; he couldno tak a njamin.

II. n. A heavy blow with a bludgeon (Slk. 1825 Jam.), sc. a sudden or knock-out stroke.