A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1420, 1475-1574
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Aspy(e, Aspie, v. [Early ME. aspie, OF. espier: see Espy v.]
1. tr. To see, catch sight of, observe.a1400 Legends of the Saints x. 244 (in mannis fourme God til aspy); xxiii. 119 (Malchus that aspyit). a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 172 (be science he aspyd … speke suld he). c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 137 (be lufis quene I was aspyit). 1513 Doug. iii. v. 47 (alssone as scho me aspyis); viii. 31, ix. 107, etc. 1531 Bell. Boece II. 102 (he was aspyit makand derision). 1561 Kennedy Orat. Title-p. (to aspy how wonderfullie thai ar abusit). 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 105 (aspyit and foirseine).
2. To observe as a spy.c1420 Wynt. viii. 4184 (thare kyngis castell till aspy). c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace iv. 431 (the contre to aspye). a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1066 (the caus for till aspy).
3. intr. To look; to be observant or on the watch.c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace ix. 432.
He has aspyit Sum jeperte apon thaim for to mak 1513 Doug. vii. Prol. 142.
Baith vp and down the hows I dyd aspy
