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.
Bussard, Bussart, n. Also: busard, byss-, bissart, bissat, -et. [ME. busard (c 1300), buserde, etc., OF. busart.] A buzzard hawk. Also fig.c1450-2 Howlat 640.
Busardis and beldkytis, as it mycht be Soldiouris and sumptermen to thai senȝeouris 1457 Acts II. 51/2.
Foulys of reif as ernys, buissardis [1566 bissartis], gleddis, and myttallis c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiii. 85.
The bissart … was so cleverus of hir clvik 1513 Doug. ix. Prol. 45.
Quhat forsis hym the bussart [Sm. byssart] on the brer, Set weil hym semys the falcon heroner?a1585 Polwart Flyt. 828 (T).
Beld bissat [v.r. bisset], marmissat, lancepissat to the lownes! 1590 Burel Pilgr. i. xxi.
The bisset and the corbe baith, Flew fast befoir the laue a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xviii. 60.
Thair brald a bissat neir about, Quhilk vsd hir, vhen the the halk fleu out 1629 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III. 229.
He … tooke her be both shaikell bones … crying ‘Woman. I sall let the see that I sall make ane bussard of the’
