A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Hirsell, Hirsal(e, n. Also: hyresel, hyrsal(le, hersale. [ME. hirsill (1366), ON. hirzla (= hirðsla), custody, safe keeping. Not recorded in ME. after 1376, but still current in north Eng. dialect.] A herd or flock. Also fig. and transf. (a company). By-hirsell, an additional herd.(a) a1400 Leg. S. i. 670.
Pece be to thé, … hyrde of goddis hersale all c1420 Wynt. vii. 1765.
Thai thowcht … mare honeste To sla thame in melle Than swilk ane hyrsalle for till hald 1499 Prestwick B. Rec. 35.
The wrangwis haldin of seuirall gudis in hirsall apoun the commone land 1534 Ib. 55.
The wrangus wyt[h] haldin of by hyrsalis … & haldane thame apoun the commone gers of the towne 1543 Ib. 59.
At na man … hald ony by hyrsalis … bot on thayr awne gers(b) a1400 Leg. S. vii. 848.
Men in this hale world sal se Bot a hyrde & a hyresel be 1509 Prestwick B. Rec. 42.
It is statut … that na by hirsellis be haldin on the commovne of the tovne 1521 Alloway Ct. Bk. (MS.) Apr. 26.
For dryving of haill hirsellis to the said bank aganis the statutis 1548 Ayr Ct. & Council Bks. (MS.) Apr. 9.
That thar be na vthir hirsellis haldyn bot that all beistis he pwt to the hird 1660 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 301.
Ane hirsell of ewes 1662 Ib. II 19.
Ane hirsell of hogs 1663 Ib. 67.
That none pastur ther goods in tripe hirsells
