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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fischar(e, Fyschar(e, n. Also: fysschar(e, fyschair, fischaire; fysch-, fischear(e. [ME. fyschar(e, fissar(e, var. of fischer(e, etc. Cf. Fischer.]

1. A fisherman. c1420 Wynt. v. 690.
The largyare body wes Off the fyschare, and the les Off the prechoure 1434 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 391.
That na fischar of sawmound … house nane but thai be tane vndir nycht 1496 Treas. Acc. I. 305.
To the fyschare that brocht bremys to the King 1506 Liber Aberbr. 370.
His fischaris to pas and repas thairto with their stuf 1523 Treas. Acc. V. 231.
All the caiggearis and fischearis of Mussilburgh 1578 Conv. Burghs I. 58.
That oure merchandis or marinellis haue na occasioun to enter in … contrauersie with the fyschearis 1588 Wemyss Corr. 36.
To ceis fra all … impediment making to his seruandis and fischaris, in fischeing of the said watter 1622-6 Bisset II. 231/13.
Schipis that gardis and watches fyschearis … salbe upoun the fyschearis expensis

2. Attrib. with bait, cobill, cork, court, etc. 1580-92 James VI Lusus R. 25.
As … troutis … fischaire baitis will tak 1533 Boece xii. ii. 457.
Thai … in ane fischare cobill rowit him to the mouth of Tay 1575 Edinb. Test. III. 387.
Foure stane of fischear cork 14.. Acts I. 335/2.
Thai … brekis … thar awn ordinance in thar plane fischar court 1533 Boece xii. x. 473 b.
Herald … in ane fischare craare remittit her to Northmandie 1555 Conv. Burghs I. 12.
At fischear hewinis [= havens] and portis 1610 Crim. Trials III. 100.
Ȝe … persewit and burdit ane puir fischar-man and his bot 14.. Acts I. 308/2.
Gyf ony fysschare schyp cum chargyt with heryng c1420 Wynt. iv. 991 (W).
That king … Away than lorkit prevely In till a litill fischare skovt c 1680 Coll. Aberd. & B. 98.
Every parish on the Buthquhan coast hath one fisher toun at least 1593 Elgin Rec. II. 33.
The fischar wyves to be poyndit of a doussand haddokis 1624 Ib. 184.
The fischar wyffis to be wardit quhill they pay tua s.