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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.

Capitane, n. Also: capyt-, kapit-, cap(p)ietane; capitain(e, -ayne; capyt-, cap(p)itan, capiten. [ME. capitain, -ayn, etc. (14th c.), OF. capitain. Cf. Captane.]

1. A military captain.(a) 1375 Barb. v. 460; Ib. vi. 431.
Ane of the Thrillwallis then He left behynd hym capitane Ib. xi. 520.
Thre banrentis of full mekill mycht War capitanys of all that rout a1400 Leg. S. xl. 858.
He to Carleile sent one ane & tald thar-of the capitane Of his erand c1420 Wynt. viii. 1740.
In Fyffe that tyme wes nane Erle, lord, na capytane Ib. 1892.
Rychard Sward, that wes than Off that castell capytan 1456 Hay I. 181/26.
A symple capitane suld have na power to geve sauf condyt but for his awin … company Ib. 196/4.
Wele may thai be compellit to send thair folk with … a chiftane or capitane c1450-2 Howlat 566.
The Dowglas … Kelit dovne thar capitanis, and couth it conquir 1469 Acts II. 95/1.
That na capitane nor counstable of the kingis castellis … sall beir office within the said toune 1498 Acta Conc. II. 207.
The quhilkis gudis, … war takin … the tyme that he was capetane of the Redecastell 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 137.
Sum wald be … knycht and sum capitane Ib. x. iv. 135.
Sa mony walyt capitanys, nobill men 1516 Reg. Privy S. I. 407/1.
Makand George Schaw … and James Dog capitane, stewart and bailȝe deputis to the said William and Archibald 1525 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 221.
That … the capitane of the said castell suffir na gunnis to be schot furth of the samin [etc.] c 1541–2 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 29.
Thair is syndrie capytanis with gernysonis cum to the bordouris of Inglaunde 1546 Reg. Privy C. I. 34.
The remissioun grantit to the capitane of Dumbertane, and all his complices 1558-66 Knox II. 58.
Sir James Croftis, Sir Hary Peircey … with mony vthir capitaneis and gentilmen 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 225.
In this conflict wes slane … Alexander Bog ansenȝie to capitane Dauid Meluile a1570-86 Maitl. F. xxiii. 36.
Quhane his landis … was heriet be Rollant Fostar Inglisman, kapitane of Wark, with his cumpanye 1587 Treas. Acc. MS. 64.
Gevin in almous to certane pure Vngariane strangeris being capitanes … twentie crownis 1596 Dalr. I. 313/16.
He … obteynet the name and honour of capitane of the kingis vangaird 1612 Crim. Trials III. 239.
The defunct missing his dager, quhilk was tane fra him be Capitane Erskine c1650 Spalding I. 130.
He establishes a counsall of warr, consisting of nobles, crowneris, capitanes, and otheris 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 58.
Walter Moresone, wha wes yisterday … electit to be ane of the four capitanes of this burghe 1661 Ib. 198.
Each company to have their owne capitane and other officers(b) 1405 James of Douglas Letter to Henry IV in Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
Yhour men com … til his castell of Brathwike & … tuke and rawnsomide the capitain of the sayde castelle 1538 Crim. Trials I. 207.
The said capitaine taking ane tikat subscriuit with the Justice Clerk a1578 Pitsc. I. 49/12.
[They] begane to stryue … quhilk of them sould be principall capitaine thairof a1585 Maitl. Q. lviii. 21.
For it is said that sum man sair may rew That in this land sa monye capitaines [Fol. captanis] grew(c) 1552 Reg. Privy C. I. 130.
Before the schereff, bailyeis, capitennis and commissaris 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix. 150.
Auld Capitan Leirmount with ane luik to bang thame 1593 Dysart Rec. 41.
The xxii day of Februarie … decessit capitan David Weems 1622-6 Bisset II. 270/2.
Na capitan nor constabill suld be any of these officemen 1621 Crim. Trials III. 502.
In ane singular combat, quhairvnto the said Capitan Harie was vrged [etc.] 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 57.
That the inhabitants … sould be put in a present posture of defence, and capitans chosen for that effect 1665 Irvine Mun. II. 91.
Whosoevir sould ding the samyn [papingo] doun sould be capitan

2. The captain of a vessel. 1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 179.
Williame Cant, capitane of the schip callit the Marie Fortoun 1622-6 Bisset II. 225/26.
The capitanis, maisteris, … pylottis and utheris berand cuir in schipis