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 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pouther, Powth-, Puther, n. Also: powthir, poutthard. [e.m.E. pouther, powther (only Udall, 1542), pouþer (15th c. in OED), otherwise appar. only in (later) Sc., also in the mod. Sc. dial., var. of Pouder.] Powder, in senses 2 and 3 of Pouder n. —(1) 16.. Hist. Kennedy 22.
[Having] brocht hame with him, out off Ittally, poutthard quhilk wald blaw wp the ȝett 1621 Maxwell Mem. I 325.
Ane powthir horn … ane pair of brasin pystollis … for powthir and leid 1650 Dumfries Treas. Acc. 32 (11 Feb.).
For … pouther to the gaird 1661 Old Ross-shire I 150.
Givin for puther and lead 1670 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 77.
And bocht cearteane powther and slug ball from Samwell Halliday 1681 Fawside Coal Compt 70.
For puther and leid, 00, 06, 8 1688 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. 213.
Puther —(2) 1693 Foulis Acc. Bk. 159.
For a quarter puther sugar to my wife 1693 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 164.
For puther from Mrs. Hervie, £39, 4, 0 1697 Ib. 260.
For sweat powther, 12 s.