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.
Stalk, v. [ME and e.m.E. stalk (Cursor M.), stalke(n (c1300), stauke (1503-4), OE *stealcian, (bistealcian), f. as Stele v.] intr.
1. a. Of animals or birds: To walk softly, without haste.1456 Hay I 234/4.
A blynd man … quhen he herd ony wilde beste stalkand besyde him, be avys of his fele, he wald schute 1513 Doug. vi iii 82.
Thai [sc. doves] at the last gan flychtir furth a space, Half stalkand on the grond a soft pace, Sa fer befor Achates and Ene
b. Of persons: To walk without haste, quietly, without ostentation or fuss; to stroll.1456 Hay I 234/7.
And sa apon a day he sittand in a busk hyd bydand the venysoun, come stalkand by him stillely but wordis Caym 1513 Doug. iii v 33.
To knaw thir strange casys, on I stalk From the port, my navy left in the raid 1513 Doug. viii vi 108.
Amangis thame with sic carpyng and talk, Towart Evandrus pur lugyng thai stalk 1513 Doug. ix iii 204.
Ane hundreth fallowys … Of ȝoung gallandis, … Thar giltyn geir maid glitteryng euery sted Quhar so thai walk and romys still and soft. Thai stalk about and wardis changis oft, And sum tyme, on the greyn herbys down set 1513 Doug. xii vii 7.
With steppis slaw furth stalkand all in feir, Lenand ilk pays on a lang poyntit speir 1567 Sat. P. vii 234.
Erideilus … Rais vp and quyetlie away did stalk
2. To walk stealthily (with a weapon, etc., in or throw a forest), for the purpose of hunting game.1508 Reg. Privy S. I 241/1.
That nane of thaim tak apon hand to stalk with bowis or rachis in ony place within the boundis of our saidis forestis … under the hiest pane of … punysing of thair personys that stalkis haldis rachis or makis gaitis throw the sammyn
