A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Ourflete, -fleit, v. Also: oure-, owre- and p.t. and p.p. -flet. [Cf. ME. p.t. ouerflet (c 1250), -fleot (c 1320), thereafter appar. only Sc. Cf. also Overflete.] 1. tr. and intr. To overflow. a. tr. Of a river etc.: To flow over, inundate. b. P.p. and fig. Covered over with (of). c. intr. To brim over; fig.a. c1420 Wynt. i. 405.
Bath felde and fyrth oure-flet that flude Ib. 966.
The wattyr off Nyle owre-fletys it all … fore-owtyn spate 1513 Doug. ix. i. 78.
Ourfletandb. 1513 Doug. x. v. 135.
Semand the sey of schippys all ourfletc. 1513 Doug. xiii. iii. 131.
And with quhou large wepyng, duyll and wa Ourfleit sal all the cite
2. tr. To allow (time) to flow away.Persauis thow nocht quhat pretious tyme Thy slowthing dois ourfleit? Montg. Ch. & Slae 537 (L).
