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.
Desert, n.3 Also: dessert, deseart, desairt. [F. dessert; e.m.E. desert (1600), dessert.] A course of fruit, sweets, etc., served at the end of a meal; a service of light refreshments.1540 Treas. Acc. VII. 333.
Troylus and Patrik Clerk, grumes that kepis the desertis 1541 Ib. 477.
Iohnne Monteith, Iohne Murray, that servis the desertis a1586 Maitland Geneal. Setoun 37.
Wes no desert nor dainties that was deir Bot all came presentlie into thair sicht a1578 Pitsc. I. 337/13.
Syne was thair … excellent cuikis and potiseris witht confectiounis and drogis for thair desairtis 1600 Crim. Trials II. i. 157.
He thaireftir went vp and brocht doun sum straberries and dressit fyve or sex disches of desert 1620 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 369.
It is ordanit that no desert suld be from thyne furth, at any lykwalkis in this burght 1662 Nicoll Diary 368.
Ane table being covered with deseartattrib. 1632 Edinb. Test. LVI. 25.
Nyn dussoune of beir & desert glasses 1641 Ib. LIX. 269.
Drinking glasis … and desert glasis
