sooterkin Meaning, Definition & Usage

Soot"er*kin noun

Etymology

Cf. Prov. G. suttern to boil gently.

Definitions

1. A kind of false birth, fabled to be produced by Dutch women from sitting over their stoves; also, an abortion, in a figurative sense; an abortive scheme.

   Fruits of dull heat, and sooterkins of wit. Pope.