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.
Mam(m)ie, n. Also: mamye, -ay, -é, mawmy, mannie. [e.m.E. mammy (1523) a child's word for mother, the chief use also in mod. Sc. dial. The other senses below are also in later (north.) Sc. dial.] a. A midwife. b. A wet-nurse, foster-mother. Also Fostermame. c. ? A child's pet name for Mother.a. 1566 Reg. Privy S. V. ii. 180/2.
Thair lovit servitoure Margaret Howstone … mawmy or midwyfe to hir majestie at the birth of the prince of this realme and uthirwyisb. 1618 Montgomery Mem. I. 208.
As concerning your dochter Elinor, I am verye glaid that ye haue gottin ane young milk woman to hir, seing hir mamye proued not sufficient 1638 Johnston Diary (1911) I. 293.
Lisbie James his mammie haiving committed theft and drunkennes … my wyfe … put hir to the yett 1683 Edinb. City Archives Lett. II. 75.
The old mamay hath hir blisshing remembred to you 1680 Foulis Acc. Bk. 67; 1696 Ib. 199.
To Lissie to pay Sandies mannie [sic in pr.] for eggs and butter 1697 Ib. 203. 1696 Ib. 190.
To my sone Sandies mamie in charitiec. 1662 Forbes Cantus (ed. 1666) xlix.
Will said to his mammie that he would go woo
