A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Hather, Hathir, n. Also: haither. [Var. of Hadder.] Heather.Early examples occur in place-names, as Hatheruuich (1094), Hathyr brig (? a 1300).1428 Wemyss Chart. 55.
To win and ger laboure … turfe, pete, hathir … wythin the saidis landis 1467 Misc. Spald. C. V. 23.
xxxii thraw of thak hathir to Sauct Clementis kirk 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I. 178.
Tha sall haue licens … for hathir in the muire of Ledcasse 1504 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 101.
Provydand … that thair houssis be first singit and fyrit with hather 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 212.
One woman that come through the cornes and hather whilk was cassin to the hous sydis 1597 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 645.
For careing of ane burding of hather to melt the pick 1621 Acts IV. 628/2.
That they nor nane of thame build … stakis or rukkes of haither1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 96.
They have also a custom of tanning cowhides ... with hather instead of bark
