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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.

Gravatour, Gravator, n. [Med. L. gravatorium (1540), aggravation of sentence; cf. Aggravatour n. Often misread as granatour by editors of printed texts.]

1. A letter of ‘aggravation’ or ecclesiastical censure. = Aggravatour. 1558 Misc. Spald. C. IV. 59.
To send certane grauatouris to moneis all thame that ar art, part, reid or counsall of the byrnyng of the Kirk of Echt

2. spec. A letter from the official of an ecclesiastical court, censuring a person found guilty of an attempt to defraud or to escape due payment. 1493 Acta Aud. 182/2.
With … grauatouris of the officiale of Lowdiane indorsit be the curatis of Edinburgh and Dalketh 1516 Fife Sheriff Ct. 30.
Ane grauatour of the officer of Sanctandrois indorsit with the hand of … [the] curate of the parroch kirk of Couper 1534 Bamff Chart. 64.
Alexander Ramsay … in the Kirk of Alyth … presentit ane grauatour; … Sir David, beand in the pupit, presentlie ressavit the said grauatour and read the samyn be oppin proclamation 1553 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 77.
The gravator rasit at the townis instance for the acquittance