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.
Quotation dates: 1420-1479, 1531-1535
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Preking, Preiking, vbl. n. [Var. of Prik(k)in(g vbl. n.: cf. ME prekiinde (Ayenbite), and Prek(e v.]
1. Fast riding. = Prik(k)in(g vbl. n. 1.1479 Acts Lords of Council I 29/2.
In the taking & halding of twa monkis of the said abbay & spulȝeing of thar hors preking at thar place & chasing of thar seruandis 1531 Bell. Boece II 55.
Quhill the tentis of baith the armyis war standing thus in athir sicht, followit frequent preiking [M. prykkin], skarmussing, and singular battallis on athir side 1535 Stewart 9158.
Rycht mekill preiking oftymes ouir the plane, Greit spulȝie maid
2. A rapid attack on horseback, a skirmish. = Prik(k)in(g vbl. n. 2.?1438 Alex. i 2297.
Thay tint at that preking Sum hors, sum weill darrar thing 1533 Boece 207 b.
Quhare eftir prekingis [L. post leuia excursantium praelia] and licht skarmuschis, thay fynalie with handis mellit 1533 Ib. 354.
Inglis men wytht prekingis [L. adequitando] provokit Pichtis, quharin all this day without fechting was spendit
3. Pricking sensation, smarting.c 1420 Liber Calchou 450.
Qwa felys ony preking of blude or flecryng it is taknyng toward the seknes
