Now only Sc. [Etym. unknown.] A salmon, sea-trout, or herling, in bad condition after spawning, before returning to the sea.
c. 1340. Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees), 36. In playces et keltis emp., 6s.
1793. Statist. Acc. Scotl., Forfar., VIII. 204. No salmon; except at the end of the fishing season, when a few of what are called foul fish, or kelt, are caught.
1834. Jardine, in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club, I. No. 3. 51. The return of the old fish or kelts to the sea.
1884. Speedy, Sport, vii. 80. Good runs with sea-trout kelts of considerable size.
attrib. 1883. Fisheries Exhib. Catal. (ed. 4), 96. Large Kelt Salmon … with arrow-headed parasites in the gills.
Hence Kelty a., like a kelt.
1884. Chamb. Jrnl., 29 March, 204/2. Nothing but huge, lanky, kelty-looking fish.
