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.
Merdale, Mardale, n. [OF. merdaille worthless rabble, f. merde n. (see Merd n.) with collective suffix: also e.m.E. merdaille (1687) rabbie, ‘scum’, and mod. north-eastern Sc. dial. mardle, mairdle, merdle, a crowd or swarm.] A collective term for: Camp followers, the rabble following an army. —1375 Barb. ix. 249 (C).
Behynd thame set thai thar merdale [: battale; E. poweraill] a1400 Leg. S. xl. 921.
Quheine eschapit but merdale That for to tak ves nan awaile ?1438 Alex. ii. 9154.
The pepill he scalit and all to-frushit, For thay war pure small mardaie [: faill v.]
