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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Darg, n. Also: darge, darig(g. [Variant of Dark n., with unusual change of k to g.]

1. A day's work, spec. of harvest-work. 1535 Stewart 38449.
Tha faithles folkis for that same darg and deid Wes quit rycht weill sone efter to thair meid 1567 Edinb. Test. I. 39 b.
For sex scheraris dargis ȝeirlie of the saidis ȝeiris, ilk darg sex penneis a1578 Pitsc. II. 41/24.
Sayand that they had done the quene and him ane trew darge that day 1611 Edinb. Test. XLVI. 332.
Tuelff scheir dargis at four schilling the darg 1661 Ib. LXX. 123 b.
Thair was restand awand … to the Lady Congiltoune thrie scheirers darges at iiii s. the peice

2. a. A quantity (of turf, peats, or hay) representing a day's work. 1566 Reg. Great S. 431/1.
Cum … quibusdam dariggis turffis super mora de Murtoun consuetis 1575 Prot. Bk. J. Scott MS.
The said Dauid grantit licience … to cast ij or iij dariges of dovatis 1579 Digest Justiciary Proc. I. 82.
The tressonabill raising of fyre in sex dargis of peittis being standing vpoun the ground of Grene Leyis 1586 Prot. Bk. J. Muschet 5.
Proprietaris of the four dargis of turvis eftir specifeit 1605 Crim. Trials II. ii. 451.
Burning of xxx fourscoir dargis of hay, with ane kilfull of malt 1641 Edinb. Test. LX. 12.
Standing in the said barne ȝaird thrie darges of hay, pryce of ilk darg viij lib. 1659 Peebles B. Rec. II. 48.
His desyre … to cast ane darge of divoittes … foranent his hous

b. An extent (of meadow) which can be mowed in a day. 1582 Edinb. Test. X. 324.
Half ane darg of medow c 1655 Rep. Hist. MSS., Var. Coll. V. 165.
Thair haill meidowes and grasse … amounting to … ane hundreth saxtie aught dargis of meidow 1668 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II. 485.
They … did cut doun and mow above threttie darg of midow