A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Scarting, Skarting, Scrating, -yng, vbl. n. [ME and e.m.E. skratting (Cursor M.), scrattinge (1555); Scart v.] The action of scratching, in sense i of Scart v. b. specif. The action of scratching so as to relieve an itch.(a) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1203.
Scho … With skarting causit hir face to bleid 1574 Glasgow B. Rec. I 7.
For trublance … in stryking of hir, scartyng of hir and dynging hir to the erd a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 204.
Byting and scarting is Scots folks wooing 1607 Dunferm B. Rec. II 34.
In stryking hir on the face and skarting thairof to the effusion of hir bluid a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1344.
Scarting and byting is Scots mens wowing(b) 1641 Aberd. B. Rec. III 256.
Convict … for … scrating and ryveing of wtheris facesb. 1640 Dundonald Par. Rec. 467.
As the maister wold … teach his schollers … guid maners … and that they be taught to abandon all wnciveill gesturs, as skarting of heid, armes, etc.
