A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Portar, -are, -er, -air, n.2 [ME (1382) and e.m.E. porter one employed to carry burdens, OF porteour (12th c. in Godef.) (mod. F. -eur).] a. ? A person employed to carry burdens, a carrier, porter. b. ? spec. One who transports passengers and goods by water (cf. Portag(e n. 1 (3)), a ferry-man. ? Also attrib. in portar-croft. —1503 Treas. Acc. II 387.
To Matho the caryar x Franch crounis … , Item, to the portair of Ingland to by him ane hors viij Franch crounis … , Item, to the cofferar of Ingland, lxxx Scottis ridaris a1538 Abell 125 b.
Sanct Bernard sais: This warld hes maid ane scheip portar callit deid quhilk of all the riches at ane man brwkit heir it lattis nocht haif furth with him ane penny 1542 Reg. Cupar A. II 184.
With careage ws and wont, attour the portar and the fisching 1650 Dingwall Presb. 182.
That he culd not win sooner over Connan throch the porters absence —attrib. 1456 Exch. R. VI 217.
Et de xx d. de Portarecrofft et de iij s. iiij d. de Currourcrofft 1541 Reg. Episc. Morav. 404.
Terrarum de Wester Elloquhy, lie Portar croft et cymba lie ferrie cobill super aquam de Spaye
