Also tusker; tuysker, twiscar. [ad. ON. torfskeri (Fær. torvskeri), f. torf turf + skera to cut, shear. Hence also Sc. Gael. toirsgein (-sgian, assimilated to sgian knife), tairisgein, tairisgil (cf. TURSKILL).] An implement for cutting peats used in Orkney and Shetland: see quots.
1808–18. Jamieson, Tusker, an instrument made of iron, with a wooden handle, for casting peats, Orkn.
1809. Edmondston, Zetl. Isl., I. v. 177. The peats are cut with an instrument called a tuysker, which resembles a narrow spade, having a sharp plate of iron, called the feather, about seven inches long, projecting from the bottom on its left hand side, and it determines the form and size of the peat.
1822. Hibbert, Shetl. Isl., 430. An ancient Scandinavian implement of husbandry is used for casting the peats, named a tuskar.
1822. Scott, Pirate, xii. His thoughts were … engrossed in the deficiencies of the one-stilted plough; of the ‘twiscar,’ with which they dig peats.
1883. Chamb. Jrnl., 211. Here he cuts his peats…, using … a spadelike instrument called a tusker.
1884. Rampini, Shetl. & Shetlanders, ii. 86. His archaic implements of agriculture—his tuskar or peat spade.
1900. J. Gunn, Orkney Bk., 297. The flaying-spade and the tuskar are not mere toys, nor is ‘taking out’ the newly-cut peats a holiday task.
