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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.

TOUTHER, v., n. Also toother, tooder, tuder (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); towther, towder; tothir, tauther (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 195), tawther-, tudder (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.). [′tuðər, ′tudər; ′tʌuðər, ′tʌudər]

I. v. To handle roughly, dishevel, drag about, throw into disorder (Peb., Slk. 1825 Jam.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 195, tothir, tauther, and in deriv. tauthereeze; Sh., Fif. 1972), also with up (Fif. 1960); to drub, castigate. Ppl.adjs. toodered, dishevelled, unkempt, disordered, confused (Sc. 1873 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 16), tudderin, muddling, pottering in a fussy, untidy way (Abd. 1932).Lnk. 1893 J. Crawford Verses 69:
The skule loons Are swarmin' roon to hae some sport, Though they be tichtly touther't for't.Sh. 1901 Shetland News (1 June):
Da lang white tooder'd hair.Sh. 1963 New Shetlander No. 67. 15:
Der draigled claes, an toodered hair.

II. n. 1. A rough handling, a pulling about, a throwing into confusion (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 195, tothir, tauther; Sh. 1972); a state of disorder or dishevelment, a mess (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.; Fif., Lth. 1972).Per. a.1825 Donald and Flora 49:
Whether you want a towther, or a kiss.Uls. 1879 “Robin” Hum. Readings 16:
A lump o' a barefitted lass wae her heid a' in a toother.Gall. 1881 J. K. Scott Gall. Gleanings 65:
Her gray hairs in towders hung doon.Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 98:
I haes da frock doon frae da nail, An aa itill a tooder.

Hence towtherie, towthrie, tudderery, tuderi, adj., dishevelled, untidy, slovenly (Sc. 1825 Jam., 1911 S.D.D.; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh., Slg., Fif. (towtherie), Ayr., Kcb., Dmf. (tuddery) 1972); towdersome, of wind: rough, blustery, boisterous (Mry., Abd. 1960).

2. An untidy dishevelled person.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xi.:
She's but a glaikit, weirdless towther.