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.
(Mumming,) Mummyn(g, vbl. n.1 [e.m.E. mommyng (c 1465), mum(m)ing, -yng(e (1528), and e.m.E. mum(me v. (1530): cf. OF. momer v. to disguise oneself, perform in a masquerade, and MDu. mommen, mummen v. in similar senses, and MDu. momming vbl. n.] The action of disguising oneself, for concealment or as a performer in a masquerade; the action of performing a masquerade, masquing. Also attrib. with -goun. (The word also appar. occurs, in a corrupt passage, at K. Hart 531.) —1507–8 Crim. Trials I. i. 51.
[Adam Mure convicted of art and part of stouthreif by way of] mummyng [under silence of night, of money] 1525–6 Treas. Acc. V. 254.
That samyn nycht eftir suppir in mummyn, xxli. —attrib. 1506–7 Treas. Acc. III. 249.
The ferd day of Januar, for vij elne rowan gray to be ane mummyng goun to the King
