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.
Pet(t, n.1 [North. e.m.E. pette attrib. (1574), 17th c. Eng. pet (1674–91). In early use chiefly (? or only) Sc. Cf. Gael. peata, OIr. peta, a domesticated animal (Táin Bó Cúailgne).] A pet.a. An animal that has been tamed and is kept as a pet. Also attrib. in pett scheip.In the quot. for 1539, the ‘pettis’ consisted of ‘parroquets, monkeys, peacocks, swans, etc.’ (OED.).1539 Treas. Acc. VII. 274.
To Thomas Melvillis wiffe … for keping of certane pettis and nurising of the samyn —1629 Justiciary Cases I. 102.
As to the tua pett scheip lybellit
b. A favourite or darling; a petted or spoiled child. Only in the phr. carlingis pet. —c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 247.
Carlingis pet [: flet, gett (= brat), our-sett] a 1568 Sempill Sat. P. xlvi. 35.
Na coukcald karle nor carllingis pet 1584 Id. Ib. xlv. 187.
Sua … this carlingis pett Hes fangit ane grit fisch in his nett
