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.
Oversoum, n. Also: ovir-, ower- and -sowme. [Over adv. 8 and Soum n.2 Cf. Oursoum n.] An animal or number of animals in excess of the allotted ‘soum’. = Oursoum n.1622 Broxmouth & Pincarton Baron Ct. 17 Oct.
And giue any persone shalhappin to keepe any oversowmes the keiper shall pay for ilk horse shalhappin to eit grase winter or summer being ane oversowme the sowme of four shillings 1627 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. II. 125.
That na persoun … keep or have any oversoumes of guids herefter 1636 Monteith Stewartry Ct. 14 Jan.
Throw the hunger and skairstie thai hade of girs in symmer be the halding of the saidis ovirsowmes 1645 Cockburnspath Baron Ct. 10 Nov.
Owersowmes 1655 Rothesay B. Rec. 257.
Ewerie sowme of guids of owersowme that they sall keip ower and abone the sowme of thair awin gers to pay in to the use of the towne tuentie schilling of gersmaill 1659 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 230.
[William Scott who pastured on his ground 30 sheep] of oversoumes 1664 Rothesay B. Rec. 82.
Quhoewir keips owersowme to pay ten pund 1671 Holmains Baron Ct. 11 Dec. 1673 Kirkintilloch B. Ct. 55.
The oppressione of the … mure maillings with the oversowmes of many cattell thairupon
