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.
Pile, Pyle, n.5 (e.m.E. and ME. pyle, pile (14th c.), of doubtful origin, used in place of the native Pele n.1 1 b, a small defensive tower.) —1528 Douglas Corr. 127.
Sic as the takin of the bark of Sandwyche the spoilȝeing of the pyle [pr. pyk] of Abirden besydis utheris divers depredacionis 1577 A. Hay Nobility 12.
He hath an other castell called Ardrossen standinge vpoun the west seas for anenst the isle of Bute and another pyle in the isle of Cumerayne 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 8.
The castles and pyles of Southerland ar Dornogh [etc.] a1649 Drummond Hist. Jas. V (1711) 91.
Thomas Earl of Surrey … had … overthrown castles and piles
