Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Schaft, v. [17th c. Eng. shaft (1611) to fit (a tool) with a shaft, 19th c. Eng. shaft out (1862) to shoot as an arrow or shaft, cf. also mod. Eng. shaft to copulate with (Partridge Dict. of Slang); S(c)haft n.¹] a. To spear with a shaft (S(c)haft n.¹ 2 a). b. To fit (a tool) with a shaft, to prepare a shaft for (a tool). —a. 1460 Hay Alex. 11012.
Quha strak doun quham, tha[r] was na man that wist For [quhen] men cummys in-to sa grete melle Thare may na tent till vther takin be Bot everie man to haue watt on his spere And schaip to schaft him that him schapis to dere —b. 1681 Fawside Coal Compt 88.
For ane axe to schaft the picks