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.
Boch(e, Botch, n. Also: boich(e, boach. [ME. boche, bocche, botche (Wyclif), ONFr. boche, OF. boce (F. bosse), boil, ulcer.]
1. A contagious eruptive disease. Boche folk, those dying of this disease.1517 Acta Conc. MS. XXX. 135.
Ane child … is fallin sek and is suspectit to be the boche 1539 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 165.
Throw occasioun of the contagius, infeckand pest, callit the boiche, quhilk ryngis in diuerse partis of the same [realm] now instantly Ib. (J).
Ane seyknes & smyttand plaig callit the boiche 1568 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 6.
For playning & couering the buriall ȝaird quhair the boche folk war bureit, vj s a1605 Montg. Flyt. 303.
The boch and the barbles, with the Cannigate breikes Ib. 504.
Black boiche on thair bouk c1590 Fowler 161 § 27.
I feare no pest nor boache 1604 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 446.
[She] besoght God that the boche and glengor mycht be in the toune 1609 Chron. Perth 73.
All thir personis lately come in from the fields, where the botch and boyll was on thair person
2. A boil or ulcer.a1605 Montg. Flyt. 784.
Mischancit, ill pancit, thryse lancit of the boches!
