A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Debosh, v. Also: deboisch(e, -boiche, -bosche, -bouch, -bus(c)h, -baus(c)h, -bauch. [e.m.E. debosh (a 1595), debaush, occas. variants of debauch, F. débaucher.]
1. tr. To corrupt or deprave; to seduce.(a) 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 419.
Luther … wha deboischit a nunne 1600-1610 Melvill 29.
My amorus disposition, wherby Sathan sought to deboiche me 1646 Baillie II. 341.
A report … of the King's purpose to goe to our armie. If he be able to deboische it, it will be a fountain of most dangerous and horrible evills(b) 1663 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 666.
The bailzies of Aberdein apprehended ane quaker who was deboshing the people their 1689 Leven & Melv. P. 194.
All his cunning will not debosh him from his deuty 1682 New Mills Manuf. 36.
Considering … how likely these are to seduce and debouch our servants
2. intr. To live or behave loosely or immorally; to engage in a debauch.1611 Marischal Coll. Rec. I. 115.
Gif the persone quho sall enioy this benefite sall happin … to … debosche in lyiff and conversatioun 1633 Lithgow Poet. Rem. 106.
Inviting drunkards, … To swagger, sweare,- debosh, and revell care c1650 Spalding II. 101.
Thay did no good, bot mekill evill, daylie deboshing, in drinking, hureing, nicht walking 1663 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 345.
The said William … after he had druken and deboshed all night, came in upon the said compleaner soon in the morning 1689 McKay Kilmarnock 10.
Such as they find drinking there, or in any way deboshing
3. tr. To squander, spend prodigally, dissipate.(b) a1650 Row 419.
To give them in rent more thousands (to debosh and mispend) nor honest men hes hundreds or scores 1641 Baillie I. 372.
He deboshing all with harlots c1650 Spalding I. 76.
He deboshit his estait and past out of the kingdome 1649 Brown Suppl. Decis. (1826) I. 399.
Since her husband had debausched all, and left nothing to her 1669 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II. 617.
Iames Bailzie, twenty years ago, debaucht a great patrimonie 1676 Ib. IV. 525.
Sir George Morieson … is threshing out the saids cornes, intending to debauch and spend the samen(c) 1666 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 68.
Being compleined wpon for taking some monye … and for drinking and debusching pairt therof 1682 Peden Lord's Trumpet 30.
O but you … would have your stock in your own hand, but, and ye had it, ye would soon debush it
