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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Hant, v. Also: haunt, hawnt. [ME. hante(n, haunten (c 1230), F. hanter.]

1. tr. To practise or exercise, to engage in, commonly or usually.For further examples, see Exerce v. 3 (a) and (b).(a) 14.. Acts I. 26/2.
It is to wyt that in borow mutis thar is hantyd and oysyt thuertnay [etc.] c1460 Thewis Wysmen 308.
To hant the gud and leif the ill a1500 Henr. Fab. 1900.
Carnall lust … Throw consuetude hantit from day today 1491 Acts II. 226/2.
That for … defence of the realme be hantit bowis schvting 1513 Doug. v. x. 101.
Childring hanting syk gem and joy Ib. ix. iv. 82.
My fader, … the quhilk all hys days The weris hantit 1533 Bell. Livy I. 113/30.
He assailȝeit the said toun be na fassoun of chevelry hantit … be Romanis 1541 Reg. Cupar A. II. 13.
Johane sall hant and vse the craft of fowlarie at all tymis at his powar 1552 Ib. II. 102.
We will at nane hant nor exerse the office of … bruwyng, selling [etc.] 1574 Acts III. 84/2.
The vnlauchfull vse of thame [sc. firearms] is still hantit and frequentit 1585 Edinb. Test. XIV. 246 b.
James & George Brounes my executouris … to vse, exerce, and hant the office of executorie 1612 Lett. Eccles. Affairs I. 292.
Your maiesteis subiectis, hanting thair trade of mercheandice in … Swaden(b) 1500 (c 1580) Conv. Burghs I. 505.
That na personis out burgessis … hawnt merchandice, [etc.]

b. To have or enjoy (good fortune). 1513 Doug. vi. ix. 28.
Mair prosper chance to hant go mak thé bown

2. tr. To resort to or frequent (a place); to attend (divine service, etc.); to frequent (a person's company).(1) c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 49/25.
The haly angellis hantis maire that place 1513 Doug. viii. iii. 186.
Our tabillis as ȝour frendly burdis hant 1578 Glenartney Doc.
That na persone … tak vpoun hand to hant or vse ony commowne gaittes ?1549 Monro W. Isles 19.
This stream may not be hantit bot be certain tyds 1659 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 230.
His awin bestiall and others that hants and frequents his hous 1674 Ib. II. 394.
To frequent, use and haunt ane kirk seatt(2) 1572 St. A. Kirk S. 373.
John Bell … promittis in tyme cuming to hant the communion 1604 Ellon Presb. 51.
He … had hantit the Word the tua preceiding Sundays 1604 Elgin Rec. II. 123.
Janet Winchester is inhibit to hant the Chanrie kirk in praying 1607 Ib. I. 229.
Albeit some ty mes he hantit the kirk and preiching(3) 1456 Hay I. 261/9.
Gif a man wald accus ane othir … till have hauntit a maryte woman c 1563 Reg. Panmure I. xxxv.
He hanted the companie … of the lord Gray a1578 Pitsc. I. 17/5.
Scho gat credence to vissie and haunt companie with hir sone Ib. 24/34.
He hantit … vngodlie menis counsallis a1570-86 Maitl. F. cvii. 20.
Hant gwd cwmpanie 1624 7th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 723/2.
I haive … hantid my lord duik of Lennox much

b. fig. in p.p., Visited constantly (by certain feelings, etc.). c1420 Wynt. vii. 3400 (W).
King Edward … in fellony [changed] his maieste Hantit that suld haif bene of [pete] 1492 Misc. Bann. C. II. 128.
Wemen hantit mekle be fleschelye delectatioun tynes the saull

3. intr. To resort habitually or remain usually in or about, or repair frequently to (a place, etc.); to associate with (a person).(1) 1456 Hay II. 17/3.
Nocht … to haunt na duell with lordis na knychtis in company a1487 Gud Wife & D. 171.
Hant nocht with men our anerly 1575 Inverness Rec. I. 246.
That ministers … nather hawnt owir mekle on drinking or bankatting wyth thame [Papists], etc. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 178.
If we could haunt up with God, we should smell of heaven(2) 1513 Doug. xii. v. 66.
Fowlys that dyd hant endlang the cost 1551 Acts II. 482/2.
Sic tratouris … hantis and repairis amangis our souerane ladyis liegis 1572 Peebles B. Rec. 344.
All vagabundis that hantis or resortis inwith the liberte of burgh a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 28.
With skipping and trippin Thay hanttit ay in pairis 1608 Conv. Burghs II. 253.
That … swyne be nocht sufferit to hant in the oppin streitis 1641 Peebles B. Rec. 105.
All vther persounes thair abyding and hawnting 1684 Melville Chart. 182.
The southern … shyrs, quhair severall rebells … doe haunt and resort(3) 1548 Reg. Privy S. MS. XXII. 21.
That he … hant, frequent, and blok in marchandice throw all partis 1555 Conv. Burghs I. 12.
Fremen vseand and hantand with merchandice within burgh(4) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9131.
He agane sum times to hir did hant 1569 St. A. Kirk S. 21.
He seis Alexander … haunt to the hows of Elizabeth … , eatand, drinkand, and quhiles sowpand 1570 Sat. P. xv. 132.
My counsell is expres, That to your wyfis ȝe hant a1578 Pitsc. I. 15/36.
Labouraris hauntand to thair lesum bussenes 1602 Elphinstone Mem. 166.
Except George Bryce will hant ofter to this contrey

4. To be accustomed to (do something). 14.. Acts I. 35/2.
Gif ony suilke of usage hantys to cum on nycht a1568 Scott iv. 33.
Thocht bruckill wemen hantis ln lust to leid thair lyvis

b. In p.p. Accustomed, habituated, experienced. Const. to (do something), to, in, with (a thing). a1500 Henr. Fab. 780.
Neidlingis thay man do As thay of lang tyme hes bene hantit to 1513 Doug. v. vi. 31.
Twa othir ȝong men … , Hantyt to ryn in woddis 1533 Bell. Livy I. 46/14.
Sa lang as thai war hantit in rage and fury of weris Ib. 131/16.
For thai allegit the Tarquynis war oure lang hantit with the croun 1533 Boece i. vii. 49.
Britouns, hantit amang montanis Ib. xiv. x. 560.
Men on fute and hors, mony of thame weill hantit to weris