A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1570, 1645-1686
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(Scout,) Skout, v. Also: scolt, scute. [ME and e.m.E skowt(en (14th c.); Scout n.2] a. intr. To act as a scout; to reconnoitre.1645–46 Dumbarton Common Gd. Acc. 147.
To William McKie for going out dyvers … tymes to skout be himselff and his hors c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 51.
They march to Monrose, where they intend no harme, but from thence to scute for intelligence 1653 Annandale Corr. 36.
This morning … were discovered these two skouting out on a hill head
b. tr. To watch (an enemy force) and observe its movements, etc.; to spy on.1570 Leslie 212.
Certane Scottismen … was send furth to skout the Inglismen, be quhome thay war at lenth traned in and inclosed
c. ? To move about, esp. in small numbers. (Cf. 16th c. Eng. scoute to skulk, lie hid in concealment; 1577 and 1633 in OED ).1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 109.
[Question to a Covenanter:] Had ye been beeter to have been at home holden your own plough nor scolting throw the contrie and bring mak [sic] this trouble
