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.
Pelchard, n. (e.m.E. pylcherd(e (1542), orig. pylcher (1530), a pilchard, of obscure origin. Cf. also mod. Sc. dial. (Caithness) pelcher a grey mullet, ‘appar. a corruption of Eng. pilchard, with transf. meaning’.) —1641-8 Skipper's Acc. (Smettone) 25 b.
For ane thowsand pelchards, 3 li.