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.
Girsman, Girse-, n. [e.m.E. (northern) gyrsman (1597).] = Gersman n. —1613 Misc. Spald. C. V. 217.
It is decernit that all cottis and croftis men and girs men sall pey … xij d 1633 Ib. 220.
Quhatsumewir tenent, cotter, girsman, or crofter happinis to sell beair or aitis, … sall pey to the millar dowbill multer c1650 Spalding II. 359.
Thair wes not ane … dur nor wyndo left vnbrokin doun daylie to the poor tennentis, cotteris, and girsmen 1659 Forbes Baron Ct. 225.
The haill cotteris, croftmen, and girsmen 1670 Urie Baron Ct. 90.
The cottars and girseman is to pey … the soum off fourtie schillingis
