Sc. [Clier corresponds to MDu. cliere, Du. klier gland, glandular swelling, scrofula, = EFris. klîre, klîr: ulterior history obscure.] A glandular swelling; usually in pl. as name of a disease of cattle: see quots.
1794. Agric. Surv. Dumfries, 357 (Jam.). A putrid distemper in the throat … called the Clyers…. It seems to be the same with what in other places is called the murrain or gargle.
1808. Jamieson, s.v. He has nae clyres in his heart, he is an honest upright man.
1837. Lockhart, Scott, vii. an. 1793. A cow … which the court … had pronounced to have what is called the cliers, a disease analogous to glanders in a horse.
Hence Clyred ppl. a., ‘having tumours in the flesh’ (Jam.).
1697. W. Cleland, Poems, 66 (Jam.). And did not cease to cave and paut, While clyred back was prickt and gald.
