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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.

Decan(e, n.¹ Also: decain. [L. decānus. Cf. ME. decan (a 1450), decane, an ecclesiastical dean.] = Deacon n.¹, Decon(e n., Dekin n.¹ 1473 Acts II. 106/1.
That thare be … ordanit a wardane & a decanne of the craft 1548 St. A. Baxter Bks. 3.
Jamis Browne, decane of the baxter craft 1550 Ib. 6.
The bredren off baxtorie … to stand ferme & stabyll with thair decane in all thingis 1562-3 Winȝet I. 102/15.
In euery prouince, schyre, citie, and hous is ane principal or superior, as thair is in eury craft almaist ane decane 1579 St. A. Baxter Bks. .
That the decanis of thair craft sal nawayis compone withe thame, quhill the person … first compone with the said deinis of gild 1590 Conv. Burghs I. 313.
We, … burgessis of Abirdene, decannis and craftismen of the samin, … desyris ȝour wisdomes [etc.] 1634 St. A. Baxter Bks. 98.
Johnne Discher, decan of the brabonaris of the said citie 1652 Ib. 122.
For the quhich the traid renderis the decan and positor heartie thankis 1658 Mun. Univ. Glasg. III. 545.
Ia. Fairbairne, decane of the goldsmythes of Edinburgh 1667 St. A. Baxter Bks. 133.
If the traid does not tak ordor thair with, that they complaine to the decan convener 1682 Ib. 142.
The samen to be colectit veiklie of the colectour, vhom the decan shall apoynt