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.

Caber, n. Also: cabir, -yr, -our, caiber; cabber. [Gaelic cabar.] A pole or spar, a long slender treetrunk, freq. as used for a rafter. (See also Kaber.) 1505 Prestwick B. Rec. 38.
Robyne Gref come in will of the wranguis takin of ane caber fra Wille Vndirwoddis wyf 1512 Treas. Acc. IV. 379.
For lyme, sand, caberis, … spendit on bygging of the brewhous 1513 Doug. xii. v. 185.
This schaft, that was als rud and squar As it had beyn a cabyr or a spar 1562 Inverness B. Rec. I. 81.
Ten pece eakin cuppillis wyth rawillis cabyrris to big ane leaycht hall 1565 Ib. 127.
[Ane] half dussan caberis [of fir] 1591 Edinb. Test. XXIII. 225 b.
Sax laiddis of caberis, price of the laid x s. 1618 Montgomery Mem. 280.
For four cabiris to draw the quheillis west with 1623 Prot. Bk. J. Scott (loose leaf).
They estimat the ruiff of the milne with the coupillis and caiberis to fowrteine merkis 1624 Crim. Trials III. 567.
He … with ane grit caber in his hand, … strak Donald M'Intyre … in the foirheid 1650 Thanes of Cawdor 292.
Quhatever tyme the cabberis bees cutt, let the forrester be present 1672 Corshill Baron Ct. 104.
2 dorres, 3 posts, 5 cabouris and tuo randdit trees 1687 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 406.
Trees and cabers … whilk they burnt upon the Green … for their eldine