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.
Lek, v. Also: leck. [Corresp. to late ME. leke (c 1420), e.m.E. leeke (1530), leak, Leke v.: ? MDu. leken, LG. lecken (Du. lekken, Sw. läcke, Da. lække, Germ. lecken), but cf. ON. leka str. vb. to drip, to leak.]
1. intr. To leak. a. inwards, of a ship. b. outwards, of a liquid-holding vessel etc.a. 1513 Doug. i. iii. 50.
They all lekkit, the salt watir stremys Fast bullerand in at euery ryft and boyr a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 178.
Auld shipis is ay leckingb. 1558–9 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 280.
To the cuper of the Abbay that mendit the tersellis [sic in pr.; ? barrellis] that lekkit a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xxxvii. 20.
Gar the bealing brek; For, fra it lek, I hald the danger done c1620 Boyd Fl. Zion. Exc. xxix. 1.
Of dryest eyes, the vessells sure shall leck, Yea poure out teares, when men of this shall speak 1664 Pitcairn Spiritual Sacrifice 614.
A vessel will leck and not hold what is put in it
2. ? Of wine: To leak away, be lost by leakage.1483 Acta Aud. *123/1.
Gif ony of the said wyne be lekkit sen the tym that the said Oliuer profferit the deliuerance therof1602 Conv. Burghs II. 143.
Gif any of the merchandis … geir leckis or gettis brusun or brokin the skipper sal be fre thairof
