Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Herd, Heird, n.¹ Also: herde, heerd, heyrd; heard(e. [ME. herd, OE. heord. Later Eng. forms are heerd (c 1440), heard (16th c.). Cf. Hird n.²] A herd or flock (of animals, also of persons, etc.).(a) c1450-2 Howlat 773.
Hunting at herdis in holtis so hair a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1156.
Synnaris … All in a herde sall hens in haist to hell 1513 Doug. iii. iv. 21.
Flokkis and herdis of oxin and of fe 15.. Christis Kirk 172 (M).
Twa that was herdismen of the herde(b) c1450-2 Howlat 20 (A).
Thir hartis in heirdis couth huf 1513 Doug. xii. Prol. 178.
Heyrdis of hertis [rake] throw the thyk wod schaw 1533 Boece iii. xxi. 123 b.
Ane heird of wolfis assemblit 1563 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 253.
Send ws in the heird of swyne 15.. Christis Kirk 162 (B).
Twa that wes heidmen of the heird(c) 15.. Clar. iii. 346.
This false heard of Mahoundis 1611-57 Mure I. 44/101.
Heards of deer