Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Brag, v. Also: brage, braig. [ME. bragge (c 1380), of uncertain origin.]

1. intr. To brag, vaunt. Also with out. 1561 Crosraguel Chart. I. 126.
The Papistis … began to brag, as that thai wald half defaced the Protestantis 1562-3 Winȝet II. 65/22.
Quhen thai begin … to crak and brag of tha wordis a1570-86 Maitl. F. xxix. 131.
Ȝit sall I nocht be comptit wourth ane flie, Without I … Gloir and brag out a1605 Montg. Flyt. 692.
I laid the ground whereon thou best began To big the brig whereof thou bragis maist

2. tr. To assail with bragging speech; to threaten or taunt. 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 2.
The Regent … said, he wald nocht be bragged, quhen justice was to be ministrat 1581 Lanark B. Rec. 82.
Thairefter com William Bauratin again … and braget and boistet Thomas 1582 Declaration Causis 19.
[They were] impedit to gif thair frie votis in Parliament, and, gif thay did, braggit and quarrellit thairfoir 1584 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 438.
The King … boasting the poor, and bragging the rich

3. tr. To assert or claim boastfully. 1588 King Cat. 224.
To na man quha braigs confidence and certantie of the remission of his sinnes … his sinnes be forgiwen