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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Marchand, Merchand(e, n. and a. Also: marchande, -schand, -cheand, -chiand, -chyand, -chant, -chaunt; merschand, mertchand, mercheand, -chaund, -chant(t, -cheant, -chiant, -chaunt, merichantt, merschent; marchawn, merchan; mairchand, -chantt, -cheant, mairtchand, -tchant, mayrchand; mearchand. [ME. and e.m.E. marchaunt (c 1290), -a(u)nd, -ant, merchant(14–15th c.), marchan (Caxton), OF. marchëant, marchand.]As the first syllable is freq. written with the scribal abbreviation and editorial practice in expanding this varies, the dating and distribution of the forms in mar- and mer- is somewhat uncertain (as is the case with other words in mar- and/or mer-).

A. n. 1. A merchant; a trader or dealer. Also fig.Appar. applied to anyone whose occupation was buying and selling for profit goods not manufactured or produced by himself, whether or not he was actively engaged in trading abroad or at a distance or simply as a local dealer or shop-keeper (and see b below).Occas. also = a member of the merchant guild of a burgh, including those of other occupations than merchant (see espec. d below).To play the merchant, to engage (improperly or presumptuously) in the business of a merchant: see Play v.Also merchant (= dealer, trader) of (= in) (a certain commodity). Also fig.See also hors-merchant, Hors n. 3 b.(1) 1412 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 389.
Lankyn Wist, marchand of Brugis c1420 Wynt. ii. 382. 14.. Burgh Laws c. 34 (B).
That na strange marchand sal by wol or hyde … bot fra a burges 1456 Hay I. 78/26.
The tane lufis the marchandis and labouraris, and the tothir rybauldis and hasardouris Ib. 239/3.
And the mychtyest marchand in London passit in pilgrymage to Rome [etc.] a1570-86 Dunb. Maitl. F. xxxii. 6.
The marchand sweiris mony aithe That newer man saw better clayth Na fynnar silk cum our the se Id. Tua Mar. W. 296. 1515 Treas. Acc. V. 53.
That nether marchand nor marinar suld saill without licence 1525 Wigtown B. Ct. II. 184 b.
The marchyand to cum of bourd 1543–4 Corr. M. Lorraine 68.
Large report cumin in this partis be dyvers marchandis that [etc.] 1544 Perth Guildry 219.
That merschandis be chosin auditouris to the gild comptis and na vtheris except craftis men that ar gild brethir And pais thairfor thair dewiteis to the haly bluid altar as marschandis dois 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 199.
Had we with Ingland kepit our contrackis … Our marchandis had nocht lost so mony packis 1557 Reg. Privy S. V. i. 27/1. a1568 Bann. MS. 80 a/17.
Marchandis of louker takis bot littill hede a1578 Pitsc. I. 226/10. c1650 Spalding I. 347. 1677 Aberd. Council Lett. VI. 106.
One John Gordone youngar merchand in Aberdeen … one John Gordon older marchand likewyse in your toun(b) 1363 Rot. Sc. 876/2.
Gregorius Marchaunt burg. de Dunbretayn 1521 Douglas Corr. 77.
A bark and v marchantis shippes … lay within the kee at Leith 1564 Reg. Privy S. V. i. 499/1. 1596 Dalr. II. 252/20. 1606 Glasgow Merchants House 86.
Amongest the equallitie of marchaunts and crafts in the government of the town 1638 Blairs P. 120.
To send this … be some of our Aberdeen marchants that comes ouer with thair salmon to Diep 1661 Conv. Burghs III. 544.(c) 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 58.
A barge of werre garnyst with Inglischmen … [has] … tha merchandis spoleit of that schip & al thaire gudis 1424 Acts II. 8/1.
Merchande 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 397. 1450 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 12.
That all merchands fra hyne furth sell irne [etc.] … be wecht 1456 Hay II. 95/7. Ib. I. 262/19.
Throu the quhilk repair of merchaundis, realmis ar … richit a1500 Henr. Fab. 1253 (Bann.). 1482 Edinb. Chart. 146.
We Walter prouest, burgesses, merchandis and commouns of … Edinburgh a1500 Bk. Chess 53. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxii. 38. 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 183.
Reulis and statutis … for the commone weill of the haill merchandis of this realme alsweill beyond the sey as on this syde 1523 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 445.
For the mispersoning of … the merchandis … in calling of thame coffeis 1535 Stewart 59989.
Riche merschandis als and mony husband man 1552–3 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 177.
Ilk maner of persone merchandis craftismen and all vtheris occupyaris of buith or chalmeris in the he-gait a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xxxi. 22.
Till haue bene merchand bigane mony ȝeir In Handwarp, Burges and the toun of Berrie 1574 Conv. Burghs I. 33.
That nane be ressauit in gyld brothir bot sic as hes beine … prenteissis … to ane fre merchand, trafiquar of merchandice a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 507.
If a man knew what wald be dear he wald be but merchant for a year 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 16.
Orne Mair, Duche merschand … exponit that he had remanit a lang space merschand at the said port 1615 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II. 164.
Dauid Murray and John Kellie merchandis to the Ile of Man 1617 Conv. Burghs III. 47. 1619 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 172, 3. a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 38.
Mertchands 1643 Elgin Rec. I. 280. 1673 Lauder Notices Affairs I. 66. 1674 Cunningham Diary 48.
My compts with merchands, tailors, shoomakers and apoth^rs, 195.5.10(d) 1482 (1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 41. 1518 Ib. 181.
That na merchant … sell ony floure in small bot in greit ? 15.. Dunb. To London 45.
Riche be thy merchauntis in substaunce that excellis 1564 Warrender P. I. 37.
The … mercheantis trafficqueing in the eist seis 1565–6 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 216.
Alexander Uddart merichantt a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 7.
A toome purse makes a bleat merchant 1619 Elgin Rec. II. 161.
Fyve merkis … to furneis licht to the mercheantis hers 1631 Linlithgow B. Rec. 30 Sept.
Ane guid pairt of the counsellouris ar merchantis and some of thame ar oft absent at the seale 1670 Wodrow Hist. (1721) I. 132.
Liable to the … penalties following … every considerable merchant, in twelve pounds Scots; every inferior merchant, and considerable tradesman in six pounds Scots 1701 Acts X. 235/2.
The merchants and trades halls(e) c1420 Wynt. viii. 5663.
Thai feyhnyd that thai war marchawns, That come thare off thaire awyne chawns Owte of Ingland wyth qwhete and wyne 1468 Smit Bronnen I. ii. 1019.
That na Scotis merchans sall labor with na guddis na saill with na schepis [etc.] 1576 Orkney Oppress. 64.
At the cowp settein of everie schip and merchannis wairis thairoff(f) 1565–6 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 216.
James Nisbett, mairchantt … wes maid burges and gyld brother 1596 Lett. & State P. Jas. VI 14.
Ye know what it is for ane yung mairtchand to tyn his credit at fourst 1599 Reg. Privy C. VI. 7.
Having given oute himself for ane honnest maircheant in the cuntrey of France c1615 Chron. Kings 80.
Tane ane schip … and also had slayne sum of the mairtchandis and the marinell 1616 Melrose P. 263.
Thair wes a nomber of rid hering maid at Dunbar be certane maircheantis of this burgh 1622 Misc. Bann. C. II. 245.
John McNacht, mairchand(g) a1578 Pitsc. I. 267/22.
I compair ȝour lordschips to ane honest mearchand quho wald … go to the dyce(2) 1615 Misc. Maitl. C. II. 184.
Idle persones quha leaveing service gives themselffis to traffik and play the merchand and attends the repairing of shipps(3) 1456 Hay I. 135/29.
A marchand of hors and harnes 1502 Treas. Acc. II. 153.
To the merchand of wynnes 1533 Bell. Livy II. 74/27.
He was ane riche merchand of victalisfig. c1460 Regim. Princ. 108 (Fairf.).
Gret cuvatys is merchande [Marchmont MS. has marchand] of justys & euer is redy law to sell & by 1562-3 Winȝet I. 7/21.
The inventaris, nurissaris and simoniacall merchandis of the samyn mischeif

b. spec. A (more or less petty) itinerant salesman; a travelling packman. 1572 Sat. P. xxxii. 57.
We merchandis all, that with our merchand pakkis Did trauell ay fra towne to towne to fairis 1597 Elgin Rec. II. 61.
The haill inhabitantis … to buy catecheis as lang as the merchantis ar in the toun 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Pedepulverosus.
Ane pedder is called an marchand or creamer quha bearis ane pack or creame vpon his back 1665 Cullen Kirk S. 6 Aug.
Given to a poor merchant whose pack was robed from him … 30s. (1682) Wodrow Hist. III. 402.
Thomas Greg, merchant in Carrick, … was upon the high road with his pack, following his calling

c. Attrib. Of, belonging or pertaining to a merchant or merchants.Also Marchand-buthe n.(1) 1454–5 Edinb. Chart. 81.
[He] sal nouthyr lat pakkyn na pelyn be vsit in Leth na nane vthir merchand craft 1492 Acta Conc. I. 221/1.
Aucht to the said vmquhile Sir Patrik as is contenit in his merchand buk 1536 Kirkwall Chart. 14.
Hereȝeldis bluidwitis mercatori exitus lie merchand unlawes 1559 Inverness Rec. I. 29.
The ressett of vij dakyr benokis conforme to hys merchand byll c1578 Reid Swire 115.
After they had turned backs [etc.] … And had not been the merchant packs There had been mae of Scotland slain 1588 (c 1650) Dundee B. Laws 126.
Whatsomever action of merchandize … alswell for debt and wtherwys tending to ane merchand steik ony manner of way 1621 Conv. Burghs III. 113.
Ane constant custome … of the saids mercattis, viz., … for euerie fute of length of ane merchand stand, tua pennyes 1653 Edinb. Test. LXVII. 96 b.
The said boy to be keipit at scools or put to the merchand trad 1658 Rothesay B. Rec. 25.
To pay James Rasyde merchant for merchant coumptis [£7. 17s.] 1678 Douglas Bequest II. 15 Mar.
That litle merchand schop … upon the west syd of the gait(2) 1580 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 186.
Jhone Peblis, merchant, to cary … to … Peblis his merchant kist with the guidis … thairin 1593 Brechin Test. I. 113 b. 1613 Conv. Burghs II. 395.
For caryeing of ilk merchand kist frome the ship to any factour hous or consergerie gritt or small, v gritt

d. Appositive. That is a merchant or a member of the merchant guild; that consists of merchants.Also Marchand-gyld, -man.(1) 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I. 559.
By one Thomas Nycolson marchant tailleour [of London] 1676 Misc. Bann. C. II. 282.
Christopher Pitts marchand taillȝer — 1598 Misc. 3 Spald. C. II. 5.
His ȝoungest sone callit Beroald Cuming merchand traveler in Pruse 1692 Edinb. Test. Index II. 10.
James Alison, merchant-traveller betwixt Scotland and England — 1618 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 162.
The merchand tredderis in these partis c1650 Spalding II. 122.
Chargeing all burgessis merchand tredderis to … obey Schir Williame Dik — 1653 Edinb. Test. Index II. 156.
Robert Gilchryst, merchant-trafficker in Barbados — 1613 Dundee B. Laws 409.
Jhonn Dunkin … , merschent burges of Dundie 1625 Justiciary Cases. I. 29.
W^m. M'Gowne, burges of Dumfries and Jon M'Kie mercheand burges 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 43. 1665 Kirkcudbr. Test. (Reg. H.) 6 Sept.
John Martaine merchand burgess of Drumfries — 1583 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 273.
The merchant prenteis … to pay at his entrie … thretty shillings 1595 St. A. Kirk S. 808.
That na mercheand dreipar [etc.] … sell ony mercheandeis … on the sabboth day 1599 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 261.
Gif the vesetouris … vesetis nocht the saidis skynnis before the said hour, it salbe lesum to the merchand byar to tak thame away 1605 Glasgow Chart. I. i. dcviii.
The deane of gild sall be alwayis ane mercheand, and that ane mercheand sailer or mercheand venturer, and of the rank of mercheand 1656 Douglas Bequest IV. 16 Feb.
Johne Grasfurd mairtchant bailȝie and burges of the burgh of Cupar 1666-74 Fraser Polichron 52.
William was a marchant venterer 1675 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 233.
Merchant councellers Lowrence Adingstoune baxter … and Alexander Bullerwall cordiner … treds councellers William Hamiltoun tailyior … and Patrick Graham skinner 1677 Ib. 302.
The companies of merchant and treds youths 1680 Edinb. Marriages 324.
Merchant-druggist 1681 Edinb. Surgeons II. 238.
The Companie of Merchand Retailers of the cittie of Edinburgh 1684 Proclamation Anent Persons Denunced Fugitives for Rebellion 1679.
James Tod merchant chapman, now in Lanerkplur. 1592 Conv. Burghs I. 386.
For the leittis of the bailleis, the four present bailleis, and … sax of the saidis mercheandis traffectaris 1622 Ib. III. 129.
The agent to tak tryell of Jhonne Gib, [etc.] … wha war thair marchands frauchters(2) 1596 Conv. Burghs I. 482.
The ancient liberteis of the merchand estait — 1605 Glasgow Chart. I. i. dcix.
The deane of gild his counsall of the mercheand rank 1693 Glasgow Bakers 38.
The … dean of gild and his bretherine for themselves and in name of the haill merchant rank 1649 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 107.
Ane difference amongis the stentaris of this brughe … anent the … proportion betwixt heretage and merchand traid 1658 Conv. Burghs III. 460.
Abussis comittit be the present magistratis, consisting for the most pairt all of treadsmen, against the merchand tread

2. a. With the possess. my or our: The merchant whom one has appointed as one's agent to make purchases on one's behalf.In the proverbial phrase one's eye being one's merchant, = making a purchase on one's own appraisal and responsibility (cf. L. caveat emptor).(1) 1450 Smit Bronnen I. 880.
We exhort yhou effecteusli, that yhe will serch … quhare the said gudis ar, and mak thaime be deliverit to oure marchande, … in oure naime 1551 Hamilton Cat. 99.
Quha … begylis him [his neighbour] at his marchandis hand(2) 1673 Fountainhall in M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. III. 34.
Esto the horse had been insufficient, sibi imputet, his eye being his merchant

b. ? A trader or shop-keeper whose customer one is. 1618 Haddington Corr. 137.
Seing my marchandis duangis me so … with the comprysingis … and arrestments vpone my holle landis

c. A merchant who has chartered one's ship; the supercargo of a ship. 1589-1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 73 a.
Reseuet for my ly dayes of my marchant ine the Rochell xii crounis 1600 Dundee Shipping P. 67.
The mayrchand 1682 Smout Sc. Trade 294.
Roger Lawrie … is to goe merchand in the said ship to Dansick

B. adj. (chiefly in attrib. use).

1. Having relation to the business of a merchant or of merchants; relating to, or engaged in, trade or commerce; trading, mercantile, commercial.(1) 1375 Barb. xix. 193.
Marchand schippis that saland war Fra Scotland to Flandris c1650 Spalding I. 269.
The English schippis beginis to tak our merchand schippis and haue thame to Bervick Ib. 332.
Oure marchand Scottis schippis(2) 1596 Dalr. I. 45/23.
A famous merchand toun quhais name is Elgin 1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 112.
Kirkcudbright, being a good merchant toune(3) 1608 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 135.
The post maisters betuix Londoun and Edinburght, to tak the merchant pakkat, to be saiflie delyuerit 1638 Rothes Affairs Kirk 102.
These articles being drawne, it was not thoght fitt to committ them to ordinarie cariers or the merchant packet(4) a 1568 Sat. P. xlvi. 60.
Now is my pretty pynnege reddy Abydand on sum merchand blok 1600 Conv. Burghs II. 81.
[No one] to be thair deyne of gild without he be ane merchand traffickquand, and habill to discus vpoun merchand billis and merchand caussis 1614 Melrose P. I. 129.
Thair outred for the Northe fisheing wes of the nature of ane maircheant voyage, subiect to the lyke hasaerd … as ony foreyne outred 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 335.
To the hinderance of the sext pairt of the merchant tred in that kynd 1647 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 131.
I haveing … examined the saids merchand weight with the trew weights of the mint

2. Of commodities: That are bought and sold, or, that are for selling; marketable.Also Marchand-gere, -gude, -ware. 1514 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 153.
To warn … all men … that … sellis wyne or vther merchand stuf within the said toun of Leyth … to compeir [etc.] 1617 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II. 26.
For i^c and a half of merchand dailles at 1 lib. ilk hundereth 1644 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII. 50.
Certane merchand commodities consisting of linoun and wollen cloath 1633 (1711) Sibbald's Orkn. & Shetl. 41.
Because the Dutch and Hamburgh merchants were used to lye there and make merchant fishes

b. That is fit for selling, saleable, merchantable. = Marchandabill a.Also in predic. use.(1) 1527 Wigtown B. Ct. 250 b.
Coft ane schip of Gascone vyne gud and marchiand fra ane marchyand of Sant Maloys(2) 1643 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III. ii.
Ellewin scoir bolls ferme meill [etc.] … guid and sufficient merchand stuff weill dichtit [etc.] 1647 Burnett Fam. P.
Tuo bolles of malt guid & sufficient merchiant stuffe