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.
Overharl(e, v. Also: ovir-, owir- and -harll. [Harl v.1 Cf. Ourharl(e v. (and Overhale v.).] tr.
1. To oppress (a defenceless person), tyrannise over (a country), misuse, despoil (a peat digging).a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. civ. 3.
The cuntre throw, is quyt ouir harld [Q. our harld] Now in this troublus tyme 1570 Sat. P. xiii. 27.
Sum tyme be tratouris ar innocentis ouerharld a1578 Pitsc. I. 284/21 ().
[The realme was ewill gydit and] ovirharllit 1594 Cal. Sc. P. XI. 406.
[To] overharle [the country] 1602 Haigh Mining P. 12 Oct.
[That they] sall cast … the saidis … peittis … be plain forrettis … in the saidis mossis and not be pottis nor hollis to ovirharll the samyn
2. To overthrow, overwhelm.1535 Stewart 20743.
Tane wes the toun that tyme and all ouirharld, The quhilk throw strenth befoir tuke all the warld 1600-1610 Melvill 123.
The regents of philosophie … cryed … thair estimation all was gean giff Aristotle sould be sa owir-harled [supra mightelie confuted] in the heiring of thair schollars 1619 Brechin Kirk S. 20 July.
They were not abl to collect becaus off the manie beggaris that over harled … them … at the brod
