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.
Laik, n. Also: laike, lake. [North., north midl. and east midl. ME. and e.m.E. lake (15–16th c.), layk (e, laik(e, laic, leyk, leᵹᵹk (Orm), ON. leikr. In the mod. north. and north. midl. Eng. dial. as lake, layke, leak, etc.] a. Fun, sport. b. A stake at play. c. transf. A fight, contest. —a1500 Henr. III. 150/2.
Guk, guk, gud day, schir, gaip quhill ȝe get it, Sic greting may gane weill gud laik in ȝour hude a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 832.
Thus may ye lippin on the lake, throu lair that I leir a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1109 (Wr.).
I pledge, ere all the play bee plaid. That some shall lose a laike
