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.
Mastish(e, n. Also: mastich(e, -a(d)ge, -isk. [Sc. variants of Mastis n. with altered ending (? by analogy).] A mastiff, a large and savage type of dog. b. comb. c. attrib. and adj.: Of the nature of a mastiff or savage dog. d. Applied to a person as a term of abuse.1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 173/562.
The dogg euill & the maddnes thay opres the mastich uillb. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 139/242.
Hidre & Cerbere … Quho on one boddie hath the headis both of a mastishe curre A serpent [etc.] 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 11 b.
Gif anie mastiche hound or dog is found in anie forest [etc.] 1616 Breadalbane Baron Ct. Bk. 4 Jan.
[Hounding out his servant] with ane mastadge greit dog 1623 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 383.
A great number of mastishe and cur doggis 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 588.
[He] hounded out ane great mastisk dog at me 1634 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 66.c. 1609 Grahame Anat. Hum. 28 b.
Men of a currish and mastish kinded. 1589 St. A. B. Ct. 23 Sept.
In calling him comoun theiff bastard mastage and in minassing him
