A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1513, 1587-1605, 1675
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Startland, -ing, Stertland, -ing, ppl. adj. [ME and e.m.E. stertelynge (Chaucer), startelinge (c1450), startling (1566); Startle v.] Describing a. A horse: Moving with speed and energy, prancing; spirited. b. Cattle, maddened by heat: Rushing. Also transf., the season of the year when this occurs. c. A stream: Moving quickly and noisily, rippling, chattering. —a. 1513 Doug. xiii ix 63.
And quha first, on ane startland [Ruddim. stertland] cursour gude, Hys burnyst brand bedyit with red blude —(b) 1513 Doug. iv iv 57.
And Ascanyus … Joyus and blith hys startling [Sm. stertling, Ruddim., 1553, sterting] steid to assay, Now makis hys rynk ȝondir, and now this way Now prekis furth by thir and now by thame —b. 1587-99 Hume 29/119.
The brethles flocks drawes to the shade … The startling nolt … Runnes to the rivers cald —transf. 1675 Retours I Inq. Spec. Fife (1150).
Cum privilegio in lie startling time ducere eorum pecora … ad lacum de Lochend absque pastura —c. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 85 (W).
To heir the startling [L. stertlie] streames cleire, I thocht it musike to the eire
