Sc. and dial. Also 5 taþin, 8 taith, 8–9 teath. [f. TATH sb.: cf. ON. teðja to manure.]
1. trans. To manure (land) by turning sheep or cattle upon it (usually said of the cattle); also, by extension, by flooding it (to water-tathe).
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 487/2. Tayin [v.r. tathyn] londe wythe schepys donge,… rudero,… stercoro.
1628. Coke, On Litt., 57. As if I lend to one my Sheepe, to tathe his land.
1743. Maxwell, Sel. Trans. Soc. Improv. Agric. Scot., 38. It has … been in Pasture these twelve Years…. It is well tathed.
1799. J. Robertson, Agric. Perth, 64. The out-fields lying larthest from the townships, were taithed or dunged by confining the cattle in folds, over night, during summer and autumn, upon that particular portion … which was to be ploughed next spring.
1808. J. Walker, Econ. Hist. Hebr. & Highl Scot. (1812), I. 167. There is yet another way in which the sediment of water may be applied as a manure,… this is, by … Water-tathing. Ibid., 168. When a field has been water-tathed … but for one winter, the growth of grass upon it is more early.
1843. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., IV. I. 122. Teathing the barley-stubble which is intended for turnips will cause the anbury.
2. intr. Of cattle, etc.: To drop dung upon land so as to manure it.
1743. Maxwell, Sel. Trans. Soc. Improv. Agric. Scot., 123. The Dung of Horses is not proper for sandy Grounds, being too hot, as may be observed from the Grounds they tathe upon in Summer.
Hence Tathing vbl. sb. (also concr.).
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 487/2. Taynge [v.r. tathing] of lond, ruderacio.
1529. Anc. Deed, A. 13557 (P.R.O.). To fynd the tenauntz … tathyng to ther londes.
1792. Statist. Acc. Scot., II. 404. A priest … who had a right to every seventh acre of Ladifron, and to the tathing (dung as left on the ground) every seventh night. Ibid. (1793), VI. 268.
