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.
Staf(f)herd, Stalf-hird, v. [Staf(f n. 19 b.] tr. To tend (grazing animals). —1553 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale I 41.
If any inhabitants of either the said realms … depasture and feed with his cattel or sheep, or staffherd the same within the bounds of the other realm 1563 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale I 42.
Gif it sall happin the cattel or scheip of the ane realm to be stalf-hirdid, or to remane depasturing upon the ground of the opposite realme 1576 Reg. Privy C. II 523.
Gif it sal happin the cattell or scheip of the ane realme to be stafherdit [pr. stafheidit], or to remane upoun the ground of the opposit realme be the space of sex houris on ane day, it salbe lauchfull to the awnar of the ground sa dispasturit, or to the wardene or deputy of that marche, for to tak and apprehend the said cattell and scheip c1575 Balfour Pract. 612.
