A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Witter, -ir, n. Also: wyttir. [Norw. vitr, vitring a warning sign, f. vitra to warn, ON vitra to reveal.] Something that serves for identification, an identifying mark or token. Also attrib. with stane, a march stone, and hollis.1513 Doug. v iii 52.
In this place stykkyt heth the prince Ene A mark or wyttir of a greyn aik tre 1513 Doug. v iv 22.
Now is he passyt the wittir [L. metis] and rollys by The roch, and haldis sovirly throu the see a1578 Pitsc. I 272/10.
Ane wyspe wpoun ewerie speir heid to be ane signe and witter to thame 1597 Edinb. B. Rec. V 361.
[Pestilence in Edinburgh] … for ane ell buccram to be ane witter … 12 s. 1640–1 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 257.
For setting four small beikens or witters on the south syid of the burne 1644 Hume Douglas (STS) 221/29.
Douglas could not come to him self [sc. Percy] onlie gate his speir with his guidon or witter 1644–5 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 292.
For 4 witters on the sands stones 1688 E. Fife Admir. Depute Ct. Bk. MS 28 July.
That noe persone cutt nor away take any of his neightbours bowes barrells towes witters nor noe uther gear 1688 E. Fife Admir. Depute Ct. Bk. MS 28th July.
That non ryd at uther mens fleitts nor have in the boatts any of their neightbours witters 1688 E. Fife Admir. Depute Ct. Bk. MS 28 July.
That everie dreave beatt shall have their wholl witters boues and barrells markitt with ane mark of ane hott ironattrib. 1615 Aberd. B. Rec. II 322.
And thairfra to ane great witter stane in the muir merkit with four hollis 1615 Aberd. B. Rec. II 323.
And fra the said dam … to the Blackhill of Cultis, quhair thair is ane great merche stane, havand four witter hollis, as the towne of Aberdeines marche 1679 Fountainhall Decis. I 66.
The Lords … find that the mill-dam and mill-land of Pitlessie have been past memory as it now is and that it is not the occasion of the regorging the water upon the mill of Ramorney; and that the stone called the witterstone is not a stone for regulating thereof
