Archaic term for wood (especially boxwood) used to make the stocks or pipes of musical instruments like bagpipes.
From Middle English and Old English, possibly derived from Germanic origins or related to the German Dudelsack. Originally referred to the wooden material, later specialized for bagpipe construction.
Dudgen wood became so associated with bagpipes that the material's name got transferred to mean anger or resentment (dudgeon)—showing how our slang meanings can come from the weirdest historical sources!
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