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.
Bark, Berk, v.2 [ME. barke, berke, OE. beorcan.]
1. intr. To bark (as a dog). Also fig.(a) c1420 Wynt. i. 700 (lyk tyll doggys ay berkand); v. 3765 (berkand agayne the majesté). 1549 Compl. 139/28 (ȝe cry and berkis ilk ane contrare vthirs). a1568 Bann. MS. 135 b/63 (at every dowg that berkis).(b) a1400 Leg. S. xxi. 777 (thocht that hundis one ws bark). c1515 Asl. MS. I. 156/22 (men may heir foulis syng and doggis bark). c1500-c1512 Dunb. li. 14 (he barkis lyk ane midding tyk). 1513 Doug. ix. Prol. 5 (scurilyte is bot for doggis at barkis). c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 38 (quhen I began to bark and flyte); c1552 Id. Mon. 5367 (ane dum dog that can nocht bark). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 82/31 (let the emprice now bluster, bleir, and bark). a1585 Polwart Flyting 690.
2. tr. To utter, or invite, as with barking.1562-3 Winȝet II. 38/30.
Thir thingis sua Nestorius … barkis contrare the catholik fayth c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 175.
His conscience cryis and berks Gods wraith to wrak him
