A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Slack(ie, n. [SND suggests a connection with slack loose (Slak adj.), supporting the meaning offered by Jamieson of ‘sling’ (SND, s.v. Slack n.1 2). However the French words translated by Urquhart in the instances quoted below are brassier and tribard. Huguet suggests that brassier is ‘a sort of sling (fronde)’, however the Fr. original of slings and slackies is fondes et brassiers: fondes = slings; it is possible that brassier also = sling, however, Urquhart also translates tribard as slackie. Larousse, referring to this instance, gives the sense as a ‘large stick (gros bâton)'. The evidence, then, seems on the whole, including Urquhart's own gloss (see 2nd quot. below), to point to the sense being a stick or cudgel: the etymology, however, remains obscure.] —1642 Dundonald Par. Rec. 503.
That he had sclandered him in saying that he stall ane duik from him and drew his slack Urquhart Rabelais i xxv.
The other shepherds and shepherdesses came with their slings and slackies [F. fondes et brassiers] Urquhart Rabelais i xxxii.
He … found … that Marquet's head was broken with a slackie [F. tribard] or short cudgel
