Sc. Forms: 5–6 cabok, 7 kebeck, 8 cabbac(k, 9 kebbock, kibbock, (kebec), 8– kebbuck. [Of obscure origin: Gael. càbag cheese, not in Irish, may be from Sc.] A cheese: sometimes denoting a special kind (see quot. 1816). Formerly also a kebbuck of cheese.
c. 1470. Henryson, Mor. Fab., X. (Fox & Wolf), xviii. Ye sall ane cabok haif in to your hand. Ibid., xxiv.
1493. Acta Audit. (1839), 176/2. A cabok of cheiss takin for a halfpenny.
1565. Prestwick Burgh Rec. (1834), 68. Ane cabok of cheys.
1715. Ramsay, Christ’s Kirk Gr., II. xx. A kebbuck … that maist could creep.
1785. Burns, Cotter’s Saturday Nt., xi. The dame brings forth … To grace the lad, her weel-hained kebbuck.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., viii. A huge kebbock—a cheese, that is, made with ewe-milk mixed with cow’s milk.
1893. Crockett, Stickit Minister, 276. A little round kebbuck.
attrib. 1787. Burns, Holy Fair, xxv. An’ dinna, for a kebbuck-heel, Let lasses by affronted.
