Sc. and north. dial. Also 4–6 kirne, 5–6 kyrn(e; north. Eng. 7 kerne, 7–9 kern, kurn. [Northern form of CHURN sb.: cf. ON. kirna, in same sense.]
1. A churn.
1338–9. Acc. Rolls Durham (Surtees), 311. In j kirne emp. pro eadem [dayeria], 5d.
1483. Cath. Angl., 204/1 (MS. A.). A kyrne, cimba, fiscina.
1562. Wills & Inv. N. C. (Surtees, 1835), 207. j kirne with staffe xiiijd.
1681. Inv., in Hunter, Biggar & Ho. Fleming, vi. (1862), 62. Ane say, ane kerne and two four gallon trees.
1728. Ramsay, Betty & Kate, vii. Sae may your kirn with fatness flow.
1785. Burns, Addr. Deil, x. Countra wives … May plunge an’ plunge the kirn in vain.
1820. Scott, Monast., xxxv. I see it is ill done to teach the cat the way to the kirn.
1825. Brockett, Kern.
1876. Mid. Yorksh. Gl., Kurn.
2. fig. ‘Applied to a mire’ in which the mud is churned up; ‘a disgusting mixture.’ ‘The ground’s a mere kirn.’ (Jam.)
3. Comb., as kirn-milk, -staff: see CHURN.
1549. Compl. Scot., vi. 43. Thai maid grit cheir of … reyme, flot quhaye, grene cheis, kyrn mylk.
1674–91. Ray, N. C. Words, Kern-milk, butter-milk.
1684. G. Meriton, Praise Ale, 160 (E. D. D.). Sheel kedge our kites with good kirne-milk and whig.
1724. Ramsay, Evergreen, Wyfe of Auchtermuchty, xii. He tuke the kirnstaff be the shank.
a. 1774. Fergusson, Poems (1807), 225. My kirn-staff now stands gizzened at the door.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxvii. note. He dealt in the wholesome commodity called kirn-milk.
