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.

Can, n.¹ Also: cane, canne, kan. [ME. canne, kan(ne, OE. canne, ON. kanna, med. L. canna.] A can. a1400 Leg. S. xxii. 361.
He brocht a vatircane 1494 Halyb. 32.
A can of almond mylk 1497 Treas. Acc. I. 344.
For five drinking cannis to the schip c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 95.
Him followit mony fowll drunckart, With can and collep, cop and quart 1563 Peebles B. Rec. 289.
Ane litill bikker … , ane lame can a1568 Scott xxxiv. 124.
Quhair hurdome ay vnhappis With quenry, canis, and coppis 1576 Oppress. Orkney 18.
Ane can quhairwith thai mesourit thair vlie Ib. 40.
The Duchemenis can that they tax the beir with 1588 Edinb. Test. XIX. 51 b.
Ane greit pece of siluer, … ane kan 1596 Wedderburn Compt Bk. 46.
A knag of vinacre and can oyle doly 1602 Shetl. Sheriff Ct. 14.
Ane kan of vlie … fra the quhaill quhilk cum in at Bigga 1610 Edinb. Test. XLVI. 166 b.
Tua siluir persill gilt canes weyand xxj vnce 1641 Ib. LIX. 269.
Certane lame veshellis, viz. … blak and browne cannis