Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SMOOT, v.1 Also smout; smut(t) (Jak.). [smut]
1. tr. To put out of sight in a furtive manner, hide away stealthily (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1970), to smuggle. Derivs. smouter, to conceal for some private end (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), smootie, secretive (Sh. 1970).Sh. 1893 Sinclair MS. 2:
Shø smootit da cloot ahint her.Sh. 1928 Shetland Times (14 July) 3:
Smootin every bit o whit I wid caa me ootrun annunder da claes.Sh. 1953 New Shetlander No. 36. 29:
A white flour bag, which I had smooted out of the house.
2. refl. To betake oneself in a stealthy way, to sneak about or off unobtrusively.Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 113:
Some tinks da Deil taks maistlins aa, An smoots himsell wi dem awa.Sh. 1898 W. F. Clark Northern Gleams 99:
He smoots him oot, an' is doon-stairs again in a twinkling.Sh. 1968 New Shetlander No. 84. 18:
I smooted me doon by da fit o wir aald yerd.
3. intr. (1) To move quietly, to glide. Also in n.Eng. dial.Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 14:
Hit nöns ta da sang o da smootin burn.Sh. 1964 Norden Lichts 8:
Smootin alang da loomi skröf A sylkie coags an stimes.
(2) With out with: to mention anything unguardedly which was meant to be kept secret, to blurt out (Bwk., Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 204).
[Norw., Dan. smutte, to slip, glide, Norw. dial. smot(t)a, a hiding-place, smota, to push, shove in stealthily.]
