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.
Quotation dates: 1375, 1429-1503, 1604
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Sleuth, Sluth(e, Slo(i)th, n.2 Also: sluith, (slwith), slough. [Early ME sloþ (Orm), slogh, sloth (both Cursor M.), ON slóð track, trail.] The track or trail of a person or animal; the path or route pursued by a person. Also attrib. with brache, ratche, dog and as Sleuth-hund. Also, in a surname, comb. with man.1375 Barb. vii 21.
Quha endlang a watter … Wald waid … he suld ger … the slouthhund … Tyne the sleuth 1375 Barb. vii 44. 1429 Cal. Doc. IV 404.
Gif onny man hafing sauf condut or leuchful assoverance to persew his gude or makking lauchful sluthe as the trewis wil be slayne [etc.]attrib. c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace v 96.
Bot this sloth brache [1570 sluth ratche, 1509 sluith hound] … On Wallace fute folowit so felloune fast 1604 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale I 66 n.
Slough dogs [had been kept to assist in tracking marauders]ellipt. c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace v 137.
Thair sloith hund the graith gait till him ȝeid … The sloith stoppyt, at Fawdoun still scho studecomb. 1503 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. II 43.
Tenementum Emeote Slwithman
