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.
Bak, Back, v. [e.m.E. back (16th c.), ME. backe, bakke (rare), f. Bak n.1]
1. tr. To put, force, or drive back; to repress, harm.1456 Hay I. 17/8 (quhen the devill sawe that he mycht nocht bak the cristyn faith); 176/8 (oft tymes men ar bakkit in bataill and discomfyte). c 1460 Misc. Bann. C. III. 40 (the false Saxonis, quhilkis bakkit us mekle). 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 51 (to bak and pvnish thame for the said slauchter).
2. To back up, support, assist.c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 448 (I sall send the blak Deuill for to bak the). 1570 Sat. P. xii. 110 (the barronis sayis thay suld be bauldly bakit). 1574 Three Reformers 119 (gude husbandmen that bakkit him unto the rade). 1603 Moysie 120 (the chairge wes backet be him selffe). 1617 Crim. Trials III. 423 (being depute to the Erle of Argyle, quha bakit the persute). 1623 Conv. Burghs III. 151 (to bak that article with the best reasouns). 1642 Kirkcaldy Presb. 224 (an appelatioun backit with ane act of counsell).
3. To carry on the back.1589 Trans. Edinb. Archit. IX. 132 (to furneis workmen to bak and beare stanes to the said work).
4. To furnish with a back; to cover the back of.1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 320 (see Bakking vbl. n.). 1594 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 531 (I causit bak the same [chair] with quhit irne).
