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.
Waithman, n. Also: wayth(e) man, wath(e)man, wathemain, (wachman), vo(u)thman. Pl. also (waichmen). [ON veiðimann-; Waith n.1] A hunter; an outlaw. Also attrib. and possess.(a) c1420 Wynt. i 1446.
This Nembrot [sc. Nimrod] stalwart wes of pytht And wayth man [C. waythe man, W. wicht man] he wes thare wyth c1420 Wynt. vii 3524.
Lytill Jhon and Robyne Hude Wayth-men [W. waichmen] ware commendyd gud In Yngil-wode and Barnysdale Thai oysyd … thare trawale 1531 Bell. Boece II 354.
The waithman, Robert Hode(b) 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Voth.
Voth signifies out-lawrie … and in our auld Scottish langage ane vothman [1599 vouthman], is ane out-lawattrib. c1475 Wall. ix 1273 (McD.).
Wallace hym bownyt … and with him tuk fyfte. Stewin off Irland and Kerle … For Inglismen thai had haldyn the hycht In wathman [1570 waith men weid, Moir wachman] lyff, and fayndyt thaim rycht weill c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 161/8.
Me thocht a Turk of Tartary … lay forloppin in Lumbardy Full lang in waithman weid a1570-86 Maitl. F. 362/64.
And tell me quho ȝow hidder sent … To sla our deir … In waithman weyd Sen I ȝow find [etc.] 1573 Sempill in Sat. P. xxxix 144.
The men within maid sic defence agane, … Quhill force did faill, and than I saw thame fane To cry ‘Peccaui’ with the waithman noitpossess. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 143.
I saw thé thair in to thy wathemanis [M. wathemain] weid Quhilk wes nocht worth ane pair of auld gray sox
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