Sc. [Etymology unknown: presumably ON.]
1. A large brewing of ale for a merry meeting; the ale itself. (In Caithness.) (Jam.)
1693. Wallace, Orkney, 30. The Tennant will not fail to have … strong Ale (which they call Bummocks) in readiness.
1822. Scott, Pirate, III. 200 (Jam.). The mickle bicker of Scapa … was always offered to the Bishop of Orkney brimful of the best bummock.
2. A Christmas entertainment in Orkney given by tenants to their landlords.
1795. Statist. Acc. Orkney, XV. 393, note (Jam.). These entertainments, called Bummacks, strengthened … the bonds of mutual confidence…. The Christmas Bummacks are almost universally discontinued.
