A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Swa(i)ttis, n. pl. Also: swait(i)s, swats, suaits. [OE swatan. Also in the later dial.] Weak beer or ale. —c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 130.
Sueir swappit swanky, swynekeper ay for swaittis [M. swaitis] a1570-86 Maitl. F. 67/50.
The lairdis that drank guid wyn and aill Ar now fane to drink swattis 1572 Sat. P. xxxiii 261.
Now drink thay mylk and swaits in steid of aill, And glaid to get peis breid and watter caill a1605 Montg. Sonn. lxvii 14.
Our Muse drinks wyne, vhen thyn bot suims in suaits 16… Sempill P. 69/69.
Swats, and scraped paunches, And brandie in stoups
