A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Spere-man,) Speir-man, n. Also: sper-, spear-. [ME and e.m.E. spere-man (1297), speare-man (1591); Sper(e n.1 and Man n. 1.]Also as a personal name.1365 Rot. Sc. 892/2.
Adam Sperman de Scotia mercator cum quator sociis equitibus
1. A soldier armed with a spear. Cf. Sper(e n.1 3.1375 Barb. xv 220.
To the ficht Maknakill then Come with twa hundreth of gude sper-men c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts xxiii 23.
Mak ye reddy ijc knychtis … and horsmen seuentj, and speirmen ijc 1547 Reg. Privy C. I 80. 1548 Treas. Acc. IX 227.
To be disponit amangis xl speir men rasit thair … ilk man for half ane moneth xxxv s. 1595 Aberd. B. Rec. II 125.
The numer of four hundreth persones, hagbutteris and spearmen, to be gevin wp for this burght
2. One who fishes with a spear.1569–70 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 650/1.
Siclik may pleis you writ to my Lord Huntle … to command … that no pokerrs nor speir men cum in your wateris, quhilk wilbe ane great ais for your ladyschips currokmen
