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.
Staffage, Stafische, adj. [e.m.E. staffysh, -ishe (1545 and a1568, only in Ascham); Staf(f n.] fig. a. Obstinate, unruly. b. Harsh, unmitigated. —a. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 131/17.
Stuffettis, strekouris and stafische strummellis —(b) 1513 Doug. xii vi 134.
Thymetes … Castyn from hys staffage, skeich and hedstrang hors a1568 Scott xxi 17.
I fand hir of ane staffage kynd, Bath staitly strange and he —b. 1640 Baillie I 245.
I am grieved with Mr. William Livingston's usage … of Lismahagoe … such staffage crueltie God will not approve
