A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Marchand-,) Merchand-waris, -wairis, n. pl. Also: merchant- and -wair(e)s, -vares. Merchandise, marketable goods. = Marchand-war(en. b, Marchand-gudis n. pl.In some instances perh. spec., = goods of those kinds whose trade was reserved to accredited merchants, staple goods.1572 Reg. Privy C. II. 145.
Of every tun of wyne or uther merchand waires 1583 Edinb. Test. XII. 332.
In merchand waris in the pak & in the creill … xxxiiij elnis of grayis [etc.] 1594 Ib. XXVI. 164 b.
Of small merchand wairis in his buytht tua pund of freinȝeis 1616 Stirling B. Rec. I. 144.
Merchand waris, sic as silk, … fustianes, buckesie 1622-6 Bisset II. 206/23. 1634 Reg. Great S. 95/1.
Dictum burgum de novo erexit, cum potestate … ipsis lie merchand-wairis vendendi 1641 Acts V. 541/1. 1647 Newton B. Rec. in Murray Early B. Organ. II. 130.
The haill moveable gudis … utensilis … and merchand vares within … his dwelling house 1668 Rothesay B. Rec. 147.
To pay … for merchant waris 1676 Old Ross-shire I. 94.
Breaking of … his booth and stealling merchant waires
