Sc. Forms: 5–9 badrans, 6 bawdrones, 7 batrons, 8 baudrins, 6–9 bawdrons, 8– baudrons (mod. dial. badrans, bauthrans). [Origin uncertain: perh. Celtic; cf. Ir. beadraċ frolicsome, beadraḋ playing, joking, fondness (O’Reilly), Scotch Gaelic beadrach a playful girl, beadradh a fondling, flattering, caressing (Macleod and Dewar). Cf. also BAD sb.] Scotch name for the cat (like ‘reynard’ for the fox).

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1450.  Henryson, Two Mice (Mor. Fab., 13). Badrans [other edd. bawdrons, -ones] the uthir be the back has hint.

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1657.  Colvil, Whigs Supplic. (1751), 151. Batrons for grief of scorched members, Doth fall … a mewing.

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1794.  Burns, Wks., IV. 327. Auld baudrons by the ingle sits, An’ wi’ her loof her face a-washin.

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1816.  Scott, Antiq., ix. He had a beard too, and whiskers … as long as baudrons’.

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