A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Waft, v. [e.m.E. waftt, wafte (both 1513). Cf. Wauchtar n.1] tr.a. To convoy (a ship) in safety. b. To convey (something) by ship. c. passive. To be moved, rise through water. —a 1622 Buccleuch MSS I 210.
Don Faderique de Toledo who is gone to waft the West India fleet homeward 1639–40 Ruthven Corr. 23.
A ship called the Providence, now riding in the river of Thames, … you are to take the same into your protection, and to waft her into the firth, neere Leeth —b. 1681 J. Menȝies Sermon at the Funeral of Sir A. Fraiser 27.
What's wafted over in this royal yaucht? A lifeless loading, and a ghostly fraught —c. 1692 Symson Descr. Galloway in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 80.
They pull the stale points from the ground, which are instantly wafted to the top of the water, and so catch the fish
