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.
Startling, Stertling, vbl. n. [ME and e.m.E. startelynge (Trevisa), stertlynge (a1513), startling (1624); Startle v.] The action of moving about, an instance of this; activity. b. specif. Of cattle: Rushing, as in a frenzy, an instance of this. Also fig. —1375 Barb. iii 704.
A gret stertling he mycht haiff seyne Off shippys, for … sum wald be Rycht on the wawys … And sum wald slyd fra heycht to law [etc.] —b. c1500-50 Pleuch-Song in Tools & Tillage I iii 177.
Better it war that sum remeid Werr found in tym or he [sc. the ox] be dead For sklenting of bowts and startling [1666 starling] of other mens nowts 1571 Sat. P. xxvi 67.
Gif ȝe dreid that sum … will not keip … thair bands, For startling hald the kow fast be the taill, Appoint nane sic but pledgis in ȝour hands 1636 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 149.
My silence … keeps me … from startling in the heat of my Lord's love
