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.
Hostlar, n. Also: hostlare, -ler, hoistlar, -ler; hoslare, hoislar, -ler. [ME. hostler (c 1400), var. of hosteler, Hostilar n. Cf. Ostlar.]
1. A host (correl. of guest).c1420 Wynt. i. 1640.
The gest … Mycht nocht be sykkare off his hoslare Ib. ii. 990 (C).
Busyris in Egipte als Felon hostlar was and fals 1600-1610 Melvill 693.
It wes not fitt that he sould be his hostler and he his guest
2. An innkeeper.a1500 Henr. Orph. 397.
This Tantalus … Quhill he lyvit he was a gay hostlare 1524 Carnwath Baron Ct. 25.
My l. folois in court the hostlaris … for the takin mair for the aill [etc.] a1586 Lindsay MS. 10.
That thai … mak price with the hostlaris 1595 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 128.
All hoistlers and ludgearis [to] gif up nychtlie to the baillies the names of thair ghaists 1653 Lanark B. Rec. 150.
All hoisleris qwho sall sell drink till any till thai be dronk 1693 Presb. Eloq. Answer 34.
Impowering hostlers and common innkeepers to impose oaths upon all passengers
b. A stableman at an inn, an ostler.1663 Archb. Sharp's Househ. Bk. 9.
To the hostler and 2 gwydis
3. Attrib. with ale, hous, wife.(1) 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 221.
Claud Hammiltoun come to an hostlar hous, whair the laird of Wasterhall was 1603 Moysie 68.
[He] past to ane hostlar house within the toun to his denner 1607 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 49.
Quhatsumever persone … beis fund drinkand in hoistlar houses efter nyne houris at evin c1660 Wodrow Select Biog. (1847) I. 267.]
[Upon the doores of tavernes, hostlier houses. and mercat crosses(2) 1590 Black Bk. Taymouth 300.
Enterit … of best aill … . and of housald aill … ; enterit of hoistler aill … 1644 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 69.
The haill hoislar wyfes to be payit … the sowmes awand be the sojours to them
