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.
Stem, v.2 [e.m.E. stemme (Shakespeare) of a vessel, etc.: to make headway; stem (c1500) to ram (with the stem of a vessel), appar ultim. f. OE stęmn the stem of a vessel. Cf. Stam n.] intr. Of a navigator, ship: To steer in a particular direction, to keep a course by means of (apon) (a landmark). —1375 Barb. v 25.
Thai na nedill had na stane, But rowit alwayis in-till ane, Stemmand [E. Sterand, H. Steering] alwayis apon the fyre, That thai saw byrnand
