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.
(Peuthering,) Pewthering, vbl. n. [Cf. 17th c. Eng. pother, pudder to trouble, make a fuss (Yks. and Midl. dials. puther to move in a cloud), appar. f. pother noun = smoke, tumult. Cf. also mod. Sc. dial. peuther, also pouther, pother, peuter, etc., to fuss about, solicit in an ingratiating manner, canvass for votes.] The action of soliciting (for a favour) or of currying favour. —1704 Edgar Hist. Dumfries App. 277.
That is in plain Scots, That pewthering is a crime of sinistrous seeking after honour in that man who cannot attain … it in the way of true virtue, but by pewthering for it, which has made these men to be false
