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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TEASE, v., n. Also teaze, teeze, tese, teize, ti(e)ze; taese, taeze (Sh.), taise (Edb. a.1730 A. Pennecuik Coll. Sc. Poems (1787) 12, Fif. 1909 J. C. Craig Sangs o' Bairns 103); taz-. Sc. forms and usages. [ti:z; Sh., em.Sc.(a) te:z]

I. v. 1. As in Eng. Deriv. teazer, an imperfect ram which is allowed to run with the ewes (see quot.). Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1814 J. Sinclair Agric. Scot. III. 145:
A chacer or teazer (a wether sheep that had only one testicle in the scrotum at the time of gelding).

2. To stir up meal so as to make it look bulkier in the measure (Sc. 1911 S.D.D., tize).

3. To nibble or pick slowly (Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 183, tese).

II. n. Also in dim. forms tazie, tizzy, teesie. A struggle, tussle, strenuous effort, a tiring or trying spell of work (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Ags., Per. 1972); a fit of passion (Fif. 1808 Jam., teesie); a troublesome search or hunt.Rxb. 1805 A. Scott Poems 133:
For poets are in love right crazy, An' up Parnassus, wi' a tazie, Ye'll leg, an' lean.Rxb. 1808 A. Scott Poems 75:
O, weils me on the muse, sweet hizzie, Whan we've thegither taen a taizie In hamely rhyme.Cai. 1928:
Mony's a teize A hed for'd.