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.
Plotcok. [‘App. a perversion of Pluto, in accordance with some popular etymology’ (OED.). The ending may be the dimin. suffix -o(c)k.] A name given to the, or a, devil. —a1578 Pitsc. I. 260/9.
Thair was a cry hard at the marcat crose of Edinburgh at the houre of midnight … nameit and callit be the proclamer thairof the sowmondis of Plotcok quhilk desyrit all men to compeir … withtin the space of xl dayis befoir his maister a1605 Montg. Son. xxi. 12.
The tym sall come vhen ȝe sall be accu[sit] … And syn compeld at Plotcok to appeir
