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.
Mastif(f, n. Also: -yf, -eif, -ive, -iwe, -ew. [ME. mastif (c 1330), -yf, plur. masteves, -yves, e.m.E. mastif(fe, -ive, etc.: cf. OF. mastin Mastin n. and Prov. masti-s (see Mastis n.).] A mastiff; a large dog. b. comb., also as a term of abuse.c1500-c1512 Dunb. li. 17 (M).
He is an mastive mekle of mycht To keip ȝour wardroippe ouer nycht c1575 Balfour Pract. 139.
Gif ony mastive or ratch be fvnd within the forest and it happin him to be cheinȝeit [etc.] 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. Prov. No. 129.
The mastiwe newer loweth the grewhounde 1640 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 114.
[Not to bring into church] thair dogges, whether thay be mastives, curres or messens 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 98. Ib. 148.b. (1) 1535 Stewart 56168.
Fra him tha fled … As houndit scheip fra ony masteif dog 1682 Lauder's Observes App. iv. 309.
Ane cutt lugged, brounish coloured mastiff tyke(2) a1570-86 Dunb. Maitl. F. clxvii. 47.
The Quenis dog … to the danceing … he him med Quhou mastewlyk [R. mastive lyk] abowt ȝeid he(3) 1558-66 Knox I. 73.
Sayand, that we are heretikes, And fals, loud, liand, mastif tykes
