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.
Sterage, -ege, Steir-, Steerage, n.2 [Late ME and e.m.E. sterage (c1450), stirrage (Shakespeare), steerage (1599); Ster(e v.2] a. (The) control or government, hence, possession (of goods). b. The action of steering (a ship). —a. 1487 Acts II 178/2.
That na man sale in the saidis partis in the way of merchandice bot … men haifand … half a last of gudis or samekle in sterage [Acts (1597) i 70, steirage] and gouernance 1516 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 163.
It is statute … that gif ony burges colloris the sailing of chepman and vther pure merchandis nocht havand half ane last of guidis or ellis als mekle in sterege, aganis the … act of parliament, the said burges sall pay ane vnlaw of x li. —b. a1708 Prince of Tartaria Voyage Cowper in Fife 1.
The indiscreit steerage of their vice-admiral, who spent his bottspreet on a soling goose-nest
