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.
Bourtré, Bowrtré, n. Also: bourtree, -trie, bowrtrie. [e.m.E. boure-, bourtre(e, ME. burtré, of uncertain origin.] The elder-tree.Perhaps earlier in the Ayrshire place-name ‘Burtrees’ (c 1320 Reg. Great S. I. 14/1).a1500 Colk. Sow i. 272.
He blew on a pype he Maid of a borit bourtre a1605 Montg. Flyt. 508 (T).
In the bark of ane bowrtrie [v.r. bourtree] quhyllumis they bed it 1595 Duncan Appendix.
Sambucus, bowr-tre 1605 Crim. Trials II. 458.
He darnit him selff in ane bourtrie bus
