A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Trouper, n. Also: trowper, trup(p)er. [17th c. Eng. trooper a cavalry horse (1640), a cavalry soldier (1694).] A soldier in a cavalry troop, a mounted soldier. —1646 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 60.
Horssis, with their troupers and officiars, quartered vpon the lands of the freedome of this burghe 1648 Lanark Presb. 60.
The most part of all the ministers leaving theire houses for the insolencie of the trowpers 1649 Dumfries Kirk S. 23 Aug.
Marie Gordone … confest her fall into the sinne of fornicatione with Robert Blair trouper c1650 Spalding II 432.
Thir trovperis wes quarterit frielie throw diuerss parochis; sum vpone ilk landislord, and sum vpone ilk pleuche of ground c1650 Spalding II 432.
Order wes gevin that ilk trovper sould have meit and drink at xvi s. ilk day, and his horss ane pect of aites with fodder; and if the trouper wes not content with his cheir to compt kaik and pudding with the goodwyf and compel her to pay money for what he wantit 1651 Douglas Corr. 262.
To apprehend and examine these cut-throats (rather than troupers) who haue committed that insolencie in the house of Guthry which all noblemen … wold look on as an ill preparatiue from sojours 1652 Elgin Rec. II 280.
Janet Grant being warned … for … fornicatione with Inglisch troupers … scho being a knowne loune 1653–4 Peebles B. Rec. II 195 (see Troup(e n. 3 (b)).
Trupperis 1657 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 157.
[Ten loads of peats … promised by them to him] when he went trowper for them in anno 1651 1678 Fawside Coal Compt 30.
To the truper for the militia [9 s.] 1678 Fugitive Poetry II xxxv 4/59.
Like gallant brave troupers they keeped their ground a1689 Cleland 112.
Some cowlies murders more with words Than trowpers do with guns and swords 1693 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 65.
For eaten corne meat and drink furnished to the English trouperis in the year 1680
