A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1590-1607
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Wi(t)ching, Witcheing, vbl. n. [ME and e.m.E. wicching (c1200), witching (1578).] The bewitching of a person, object, etc. —(a) 1590 Criminal Trials I ii 212.
Johnne Feane … Fylit for the wiching and possessing of the [said] William Hutsoune, with ane ewill spreit —(b) 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 111.
The said Katheren Clerk reproving thé for witching of hir milknes, thow said scho was lyker ane witche nor thow, that hed sa gryt milknes, butter, and cheis, at that tym in the yeir 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 20/14.
If witches had such power of witching of folkes to death … there had been none left aliue long sence … but they 1607 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II 104.
[To be tried for] the allegit witcheing of umquhill John Forbes of Lethinty
