Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bangster, Bangister, n. Also: bangstar, bangistar, -ester, bandstier. [f. Bang v. Only in Sc. use.] A violent or lawless person; a bully. Also attrib. 1569 Peebles B. Rec. 308.
That na bangistaris be permittit to be invyth this tovne a1570-86 Maitland M. Fol. clxxiv. 49.
Ilk bangester & limmer of this land With fre bryddillis sall do quha thing thame lest 1578 Melvill 71.
Or that preparative pass, that we dar nocht correct our schollars for fear of bangstars and clanned gentlemen, they sal haiff all the blud of my body first 1583 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 533.
Tak thir thrie for na saikles lambes, But proude ambitious bangesters 1584 Melvill 191.
Thinking … to be redoubted of thir nibours, and pley the oppressours and bangsters 1608 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 172.
The insolence of all the proud bangisters, oppressouris and Nembroiths 1622-6 Bisset I. 17/20.
Crowall deidis untrew Into this land incressand … be extreme bangstaris that dalie dois persewattrib. 1561 Misc. Bann. C. I. 38.
Make us quit of thir Matchewillians & bangster lordis 1581 Sat. P. xliv. 257.
The bangister Hayis salbe the vther tuay 1594 in J. M. Thomson Public Rec. (1922) 133.
Ane proud, young and bangster hizzie 1609 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 173.
Persounes esteymed of the misrewlie or bangister kind of peple 1615 Melrose P. 207.
The officiar … is, be ane multitude off weemen … off the bangstar amasone kinde, maist oncourteslie doung off his feitt