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.
Ussin, -ing(e, n. [Late ME jsyngropes (1419-22 in Sandahl, s.v. hisse-(hissing-)rope), 19th c. Eng. housing, house-line (1867) ‘a small line formed of three fine strands, smaller than rope-yarn’ (OED, s.v. Housing n.1 4 c); Heis(e)ing vbl. n.] Small line used in hoisting. —1641-8 Skipper's Acc. (Smettone) 17.
To the ropes lyer for marllin & ussin 1 li. 1 s. 1680-1 Blackness Customs 43b.
Tuenty fyve pund of tuyne, sixtein pund of whyt ussinge … tua littell bunches of ussing & marleme
