Sc. and north. Also 8 wetter, 9 wither, w(h)utter, etc. (see E. D. D.). [Of obscure origin; cf., however, ME. wither-hoked (WITHER-1 3) and dial. witter-huked (Lonsdale Gloss., 1869).] pl. The barbs of an arrow, fishing-spear, fish-hook, or the like. (rare in sing.) Hence Wittered a., barbed.
1775. H. Foord, in Trans. Soc. Arts (1784), II. 197. The other [whale] was lost,… by the Wetters, or Feathers of the Harpoon, giving way and bending. Ibid., 198. With one Wetter towards the fish’s head, the other towards her tail.
1792. Archaeol. Scot., I. 392. In process of time, the lozenge form fell into disuse, and the arrow head was formed with two witters.
1815. Scott, Guy M., xxvi. He deserved his paiks for’t—to put out the light when the fish was on ane’s witters!
1820. Scoresby, Acc. Arctic Regions, II. 223. The harpoon … consists of three conjoined parts, called the ‘socket,’ ‘shank,’ and ‘mouth’; the latter of which includes the barbs or ‘withers.’
a. 1824. in Mactaggart, Gallovid. Encycl., 6. They’d soon be darting in him Mony a witterd poisonous stang.
1894. Northumbld. Gloss., Wuttered, barbed.
