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

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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.

Kele, Keill, n.² Also: kel, keile, keel. [ME. kele (1322), e.m.E. keil (1531–2), keele, appar. a. MDu. kiel large ship, sea-going vessel: cf. OE. céol, ON. kjóll, ship.] 1. A kind of barge, a lighter.All the earlier quotations are from Aberdeen. 1453 Misc. Spald. C. V. 49.
For the fylling of the keill with stanis to the key, and bryngyng hame of hir 1497 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 61.
It was statut … that ij kelis one the tovnis aventouris be brocht to the neys 1531 Ib. 142.
Thair maisteris of warke suld … lat … the prouestis greit keile to fraucht to the losing and laidnyng of schippis 1622-6 Bisset II. 200/4.
Penicens [invented] the keill or demie bark as greit cabar 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 217.
The said tymber to be delyverit in dry land sa far as the watter will float thame ather be keill or floit c1650 Spalding I. 242.
Four wark men about the schoir, bringing ane keill doun the water to ane schip to transport goodis a1646 Wedderb. Voc. 22 (J).
Accatium, a keel or lighter

2. One of the ‘keels’ or lighters used for carrying coal on the Tyne at Newcastle. 1640 Montgomery Mem. 294.
That his lordship sall have two keills and a wheery to wait vpon his regiment at all occasiones 1714 Conv. B. V. 128.
A burial place for burying poor labouring Scots people that work at the keills [in Newcastle]

3. Comb. and attrib., with -full, -man.(1) 1453 Misc. Spald. C. V. 50.
For a keillfull [pr. hillfull] of sande to the key, and lossyng and ladying of hyr(2) 1645 Lithgow Siege of Newcastle 24.
Some nine hnndred … of volunteers, prest-men, coliers, keill-men, … with some … officers to overtop them 1666 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 2.
[William Gourla] keillman