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.

Scout, n.² Also: scoutt-. [OF escoute fem. = action of listening, also conc. = a listener, scout, f. escouter to listen. Cf. e.m.E scoute the action of spying (1553), a reconnoitrer (1555).] A reconnoitrer, scout. Also fig. — 1460 Hay Alex. 14836.
About the ost inarmyt ay ridand, Seand his wachis and sendand scoutis and spyis 1558-66 Knox II 294.
Scouttis war send furth 1661 Justiciary Ct. Rec. I 10.
The … Scoutts desyred … George Lindsay to take quarters of them [etc.] —fig. 1691 Kirk Secr. Commonw. (1964) 276.
This old scout and Delphian oracle was at last deceiv'd and did deceive