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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pioner, -ar, n. Also: pyon- and -eir, -(o)ur; pyanor, pyenar; (pynonar). [e.m.E. pioner (1523), pionner (1560), pianer (1590); F. pionnier, OF. paonier, also pion(n)ier foot-soldier, (later) pioneer, f. OF. pion: cf. Peonar n.]

1. One of a body of men engaged to accompany an army, equipped to perform such tasks as digging, making roads, constructing fortifications, etc.; a pioneer.(a) 1528 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 285.
For every cannonne xxiiii pionars with pykis mattokis spaid and schule and xviii pionaris for the culvering bastard 1544 Treas. Acc. VIII. 271.
Pynonaris Ib. 328.
To tuenty pyonaris witht schole mattok and spaid to mak gait before the culvering bastard 1547 Cal. Sc. P. I. 19.
We caused certane pyoners cutt the walle of the east end of the quere [etc.] 1548–9 Corr. M. Lorraine 290.
Monsieur de Wyngallyone twk on hym to compleitt the stryntht in thretty dayis hawand ane thowsand pionerris 1559 Knox VI. 81.
They have began to fortefie Leyht. Their souldiers supplie the place of pioners for augmentation of their wagis 1570 Leslie 202.
A garesoun of men of wear and pioners 1573 Treas. Acc. XII. 350.
To the pionaris and quariouris wirkand at the trinchis for the asseging and inclosing of the castell of Edinburgh a1578 Pitsc. II. 299/33. 1590 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 51.
To furnies pulder instrumentis bellicall and pyoneris to owre service a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 140.
That first the pioners were sent to Leyth … to forme some gabions 1640 Spalding II. 490.
The guard and pioners to have the lyke pay as the commoun sojers(b) 1547 Treas. Acc. IX. 89.
Duncane Dundas, capitane of the pyanorres … Williame Stewart, clerk of the said pyonarris … x pyonarres … quhilk wouke the artalȝere(c) 1597–8 Cal. Sc. P. XIII. 175.
Pyenaris

2. A labourer or porter. = Pinour n.¹ 1. Also attrib. 1511 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 134.
Thir persouns pyoneris vnderwritten … wer admittit to labour and serue the merchants at … Leyth … and … hes gevin thair bodely aythis and to be leill and trew to the towne and merchants thairof … and to keip the schore clene of all middings fuilȝie and al sic stufe 1543–4 Treas. Acc. VIII. 247.
Certane pure men, pyonaris, quhilkis removit certane of his gracis cofferis 1546 Ib. 452.
To tua pyonarris … every ane of thame in the oulk xvj s. … to Jhonne Cuby thair servand … in the oulk vj s. 1547 Perth Guildry 518 (17 Aug.).
Me … principall pyonur of the office of pyonury of the burght of Perth 1550 Reg. Privy C. I. 83.
The oxin and pyoneris divisit for the furthbringing of … munitioun and artillery to the … army 1558 Treas. Acc. X. 421.
To the pyonaris for carying, paking 1563–4 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 439. 1558-66 Knox II. 550.
The Queen caused his [Darnley's] corpse to be carried by some pioners in the night without solemnitie 1585 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 418.
Alexander Smyth, pyonour 1657 Balfour Ann. IV. 13.
His [Montrose's] bodey to be interrid by pioners in the Gray Friarsattrib. 1572 Canongate Ct. Bk. 377.
He allegit that the said Andro had iniurit and sclanderit him calland him ane commoun pionar theif and siclik, that the said Andro … drew ane quhinyear to him and gave him mony bawch straikis thairwith

3. One employed as a digger, excavator or building labourer. ? Perh. a conflation of the prec. senses.Cf. later Sc. Piner ‘a labourer, spec. a mason's labourer’ (SND.). 1592 Mining Rec. 32.
Pionaris and warkmen to delwe and karye the scrwiff and quarrellis red 1646 Mylne Master Masons 141.
Our maister massone … captane and maister of all warkmen of workis and pioneris of our houses fortis strenthis and palices … and to make bullwarkis bastiones and ramperis or suchlyk warlyk workis 1666 Ib. 153.
Four good able barrowmen pioneirs skillfull to make morter and bear stones