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.
(Port-,) Porte-galloun, n. [The first elem. is appar. either Port n.1 (? sense 2), Port n.2 (? sense 1 or sense 3), or MDu., MFlem. port burgh, city (see Portar n.3).] A particular gallon-measure (stated as being three times the regular gallon). —1586 Reg. Privy C. IV 122.
For the saidis personis [sc. West Highland chiefs] hes laitlie … compellit the saidis complenaris [the burghs for fishers in W. Highland waters] to pay for the ground leave of every last xx s. and to thair baillies iiii s. with ane firlott of meill ane porte galloun aill extending to three gallownis aill and iiii d. for the stane of ilk barrell
