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.
Vole(a)r, -eur, -uer, n. [F. voleur.] A thief; a pirate. —1604 Mackie Denmilne MSS 60.
The grate duck did imploy Capitane Gifford … to undertake the burning of the forsaid Amorato hes galleyes in Algeres, quha … is ane cursier and volear one the seas 1642 Justiciary Cases II 494.
All roberis or volueris [pr. volneris] ar includit in the exceptioun and not spuilyeeris and plundereris 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 24.
I demanded … whether he thought I was a voler that had run away with his horse a1686 Turner Mem. 105.
We went by boate, and in great danger of robbers and voleurs
