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

Lauch, Lawch, n.²  Also: lach(t, laycht. [ME. (once) lagh (Hoccleve) score, share of expenses: ? cf. ON. lag anything laid down or fixed, price or value set on anything, partnership or companionship, etc., but cf. also north. MDu. and MLG. lach (MDu. gelach neut., also ghelaghe fem., Germ. gelage) outlay on or charge for food and drink, consumption of food and drink, banquet, carouse, drinking-party, also Norw. lag carouse, and cf. e.m.Du. vrij gelag = sense b below; cf. also Lawing n.] A tavern-reckoning or one's share of this, a score; a payment for drink or entertainment. b. Fre lauche, free entertainment, a treat to drink or food and drink. — a1500 Peblis to Play 104.
Ane bad pay, ane vther said nay, Byd quhill we rakin our lauche 1596 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 357.
For our wyne lauch on Mononday at evin, 45s.b. 1538 Treas. Acc. VIII. 159.
To the childrin of the Sallamander in ane fre lauch xlv s. Ib.
To the childer of the Challop quhen thai tuik in the quenis hors in ane fre lauch xlv s. 1587 Dundee B. Laws 143.
For two frie lawchis to the measons at the vppseting and downtaking of the skalfet 1598 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 11 a.
For our chelderis frey laycht for beir 1589-1600 Ib. 43 a.
To Johne Wting for ane frie lach xxxv s. Ib. 44 a.
In ane freylacht