Sc. Also 6 bullyer. [cf. Sw. buller noise, roar, Da. bulder tumbling noise. But influence of boil is manifest.]
1. A roaring noise (of waves or flood); the boiling of an eddy or torrent.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, X. vi. 13. Calmyt all is But stowr or bullyer, murmour or moving.
b. The Buller(s) of Buchan, a rocky recess on the Aberdeenshire coast, near Peterhead, open at the top; the sea, constantly raging in it, gives it the appearance of a boiling pot or caldron.
1769. Pennant, Tour Scotl., 145 (Jam). The famous Bullers of Buchan lying about a mile North of Bowness.
1774. Johnson, West, Isl., Wks. 1787, X. 334. We turned our eyes to the Buller of Buchan.
1836. Penny Cycl., V. 508/1. The Bullers of Buchan, a nearly round basin about 30 yards wide.
2. fig.
1851. Wilson, Tales of Borders, XX. 23. This new cause of sorrow increased my paroxysm to a perfect buller.