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.
Cokalane, Cokaland, n. Also: cockalan(e, -land, coquilan. [F. coq-à-l'âne.]
1. A lampoon or satire.1596 Moysie p. xvii.
I deliverit the copy of the cockalane to his Majestie. … His Majestie is heichlie exasperat aganis the makares 1596 Reg. Privy C. V. 313.
Ane maist tressounable letter, in forme of a cokalane, craftelie divulgat be certane malicious, seditious and unquiet spiritis Ib.
The making, writting, and geving oute of the said infamous letter, callit the cokaland 1597 Elgin Rec. II. 47.
Coquilanis. — The eldarschipe findis thameselues juges competent to judge vpoun all makars of cokalanes in all poynts of thair sclanderous writtingis. … This for the makars of coquilanis 1605 Ayr Session Rec. 25 Feb.
Ony ryme or cokalane 1608 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 275.
The … counsele, being informit be the ministrie of cokalandis oft publist and set out in this toune be sum profane and insolent personis [etc.] Ib.
Quha evir heireftir sall happin to haif or find ony cokaland 1609 Acts IV. 436/1.
Thair pasquillis, libellis, rymis, cokalanis, commedies, … whereby thay slander … the people, estait, and countrey of England
2. A rambling or disconnected discourse.c 1650 Sir J. Wishard in Mem. Spottiswood (1811) 50 (J).
Excuse the rather cockaland then letter from him who carethe not howe disformall his penn's expression be