Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Mastis, n. Also: mastisse, -ys, -ice. [North. e.m.E. mastis (Cath. Angl., 1483): cf. Prov. masti-s and Mastin n., Mastif(f n. Also in the mod. north. Eng. dial. as mastis, -ice.] A mastiff, a large watch-dog; also fig., and attrib. and comb. 14.. Acts I. (Leg. Forest.) 326/2.
Gif … the mastis be nocht in bande … he that aw that mastice sal be … fully in the forfalt to the king 1513 Doug. ix. Prol. 49.
The cur or mastys he haldis at smal availlfig. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 155/387.
Uell oucht I for to knou thee [sc. a disease] o thou t[r]aitrouse mastisse [ed. mastish] uyleattrib. and comb. a1570-86 Dunb. Maitl. F. xii. 21.
Mismad mandragis off mastis strynd 1620 15th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. ix. 42.
Tua grite mastice doggis quhilkis are ordinarlie keipt in irne chaynes