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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.

Prodigal(l, adj. (n.) Also: prothocall, prothogall, portugall. [e.m.E. prodigall (1530), obs. F. prodigal (16th c. in Godef.), late L. *prōdigālis (cf. prōdigāliter (Ambrose), prōdigālitāt- Prodigalite(e). (Cf. Prodig, Prodigus).] Prodigal, recklessly extravagant, wastefully lavish. a. Of persons: predic. (const. of goods, in an action) and attrib. b. Of things or actions. c. As noun, in reference to the parable (Luke xv 11–32).a. (1) 1456 Hay II 81/9.
For it is lesse maistry to be wrechit gredy and fast haldand, or to be fule large and prodigal, na to be wyse liberale and large 1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii 46.
Cut of that papist, prothogall of partis, That [etc] 1581 Lennox Mun. 321.
That his louit cousingnace, Dame Elizabeth Dowglas … is idiot and prodigall having nowther tyme nor end of expenssis nor discretioun of hirself to rewll and governe hir landis … and gudis c1590 Fowler II 115/15.
He may with litill interesses to him self be prodigal of that which belangeth to another 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 180/12.
Be not ouer spairing in youre courtesies, … nor yett ouer prodigall in iouking or nodding at euerie steppe(2) c1490 Porteous Noblenes 62/38 (Ch. & M.).
Bot the prodigal [Asl. prothocall] man, spendand without mesure & prouision, waistis and destroyis c1500-c1512 Dunb. xix 44.
Gif I be nobill, gentill and fre, A prodigall man I am so prysit c1590 Fowler II 115/5.
Notwithstanding they wer great and prodigall spenders 1640 Maidment Balfour Ballads 5.(b) 1577 A. Hay Nobility 12.
His landes and lyvinge … of late decayed by a portugall erleb. c1500-c1512 Dunb. ix 124 (Arund.).
I haue synnit … In prodigall spending but reuth of pure folkis neding 1533 Bell. Livy II 174/10.
Ap. Claudius … said the largitioun … was oure prodigall [L. prodigam] … & fuliche 1585 Reg. Privy C. III 756.
And the said Alexander thairthrow pretendis libertie to proceid in his prodigall dilapidatioun and vaisting of the rentis of the same [deanery] 1684 Lauder Notices Affairs II 538.
Many other things ware spoke of as sumptuous and prodigall viz. weemens laced shoes … and flored hoods and scarfs

c. noun (see Prodig adj. (n.) (3)).