A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Makerel, n. Also: macquerel (plur. makerauis, mequereaulx); mak-, macrel(l. [ME. makerel (Lydgate), maquerel (Caxton), a bawd, OF. makerel, macquereau masc., maquerel(l)e, macrelle fem.] A procurer or procuress, a pimp or a bawd.(1) 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 191.
The bysmeyr with the slekyt speche, … Syk poyd makerellis for Lucifer beyn leche 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 23/70.
I no wais can, vnwet my cheekes, beholde My sisters made by Frenchemen macquerels olde a1605 Montg. Son. lxx. 8.
Quhy maks thou makrels of the modest muses(2) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 165.
He had nane sa familiar to him as … bordellaris, makerellis and gestouris 1603 Philotus vii.
The auld man speikis to the macrell to allure the madyn(b) 1494 Loutfut MS. 7 b.
Gormandis, mequereaulx [Lindsay MS. makereauis], murderaris
