A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Top-mast, n. Also: tope-, toip-, tap- and -maste. [e.m.E. toppe maste (1485), top-mast (1556).] A smaller mast fixed to the top of a lower mast on a ship.(a) 1549 Compl. 41/23 (see Top n.1 5).
Top mast 1571 Crail B. Ct. MS 1 June (see Top n.1 5).
Tope mastis 1589–1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 52a.
To Jhone Morell for the making of our tope mastes and reyes 1596 Conv. Burghs I 489.
Ilk creyar wantand the top mast, iij s. iiij d. 1597 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 22a.
Ane pes dell … for our tope maste 1636 Musselburgh 146.
Andro Thomsone, skipper, in the Elie, enterit his bark, with twa topmastis, callit the Gude Fortoun(b) 1603 Reg. Great S. 515/2.
Toip mast(c) 1610 Conv. Burghs II 303.
Of anchorage and dock maill of … ilk bott without ane tapmast that be clos vj s. viij d. a1612 Melvill Celeusma Naut. MS.
The schip maide snoge, scheitis, smyts, ties all fast Weill trammadge hied tap-mast 1635 Musselburgh 146.
Thomas Adamsone, in Carraill, … enterit his bark, callit the Swan, with tapmast, laidened with treis and daillis
