Sc. and north. dial. [f. prec. sb.] trans. To raise a lump on (the head) with a heavy blow or knock, to knock on the head; to bash, dint (metal, etc.). Hence Cloured ppl. a.
1715. Ramsay, Christ’s Kirk Gr., II. ii. Blyth to win aff sae wi’ hale banes Tho’ mony had clowr’d pows.
1785. Poems Buchan Dialect, 12 (Jam.). While mine [targe] wi’ many a thudd is clowr’d.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., xiv. Twa or three chields wad needs fight … and they got their crouns weel cloured.
1874. Sunday Mag., 823/1. They strike their heads against one of his eternal laws, and get them well [wounded] cloured.
1876. Robinson, Whitby Gloss., s.v., ‘Clour his crown,’ said of a good-humoured threat of a knock on the head.
