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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.

Lofe, n. Also: lof, loif, loaf(f. Plur. lovis, -es, lowes, loavis, -es. [e.m.E. and ME. lofe, loaf, pl. lo(a)ves, used in place of Sc. Lafe n.¹](The examples in 1434 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 190 are perh. misreadings for lafe.)

A loaf. a. Of bread. b. Of sugar. Also lofe-sugar.a. sing. 1563 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. 67.
The iiiid. loif to be viii unce 1619 Dundee B. Laws 348.
[Apprentices shall receive] ane aucht pennie loaf of ilk beackineplur. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2225.
Twelf gret louis of bowtit floure 1629 Boyd Last B. 117.
But for the lend of three loaues 1643 Dundee B. Laws 350.
In beakinge of bunnes, … oat lowes, kaikis and bappes to the tawernis 1695 S. Ronaldshay 65.
3 thrippenay whyt loavis 1697 Banff Ann. I. 98.
To Tayleor that was hanged 3 loves and a chapin aillb. 1642 Old Ross-shire I. 142.
ii sewger loves weying vii lb. 1668 Boyd Fam. P. No. 289.
Sugir lof 1677 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 293.
The current and ordinarie pryces of the loaf of sugarattrib. 1673 Leith Customs MS. 32.
50 pound Lofe sugar 1691 Kirkcudbr. Test. (Reg. H.) 22 May.
A qwarter of pound of whyt loaf shugar