Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

Burlaw, Burla, variant of Birlaw. Also attrib. with officer. — 14.. Acts I. 277/2.
Cetera omnia … que current in curiis dominorum secundum auxilium et fauorem terminantur exceptis burlawis que per consensum vicinorum concurrunt 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v.
Lawes of Burlaw are maid, and determined be consent of nichtbors, elected and chosen be common consent, in the courtes, called the Byrlaw courts 1608 Melrose R. Rec. I. 72.
Tua forcementis gevein up be him maid to Hob Maben, burla officer, be Androw Davidsone