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.
Bostour, Boistour, n. Also: bowstoure, -owre; bostar(e, boster, boistar. [ME. boster (14th c.), booster, boister, f. Bost v.] A boaster or braggart; a brawler or bully. Also as the name of an engine of war.(1) 1337 in Liber Pluscard. 283.
Habuit enim unum machinamentum, per modum turris ligneæ, quod Bostour [v.r. Bostare] nominabatur c1420 Wynt. viii. 5023.
The Wardane … browcht a gyne, men called Bowstowre [W. Bostoure] , For till assayle that stalwart towre(2) a1570-86 Maitl. F. xlvii. 70.
I forbid thé be barganour In cumpany, or grit bostour, For ane bostour no man doutis c1500-c1512 Dunb. xiv. 42.
Sic brallaris and bosteris [M. boistouris] , degenerat fra thair naturis Ib. xxvi. 34.
Bostaris, braggaris, and barganeris 1584 Acts III. 299/2.
For repressing of proud and vndantonit braggaris, boistaris, and oppressouris of thair parties
