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.
Melder, n. Also: -ir, -yr. [Late ME. (once) meltyre (glossing L. emolimentum), and in the mod. Sc. and north. and north midl. Eng. dial. as melder, ON. meldr.] a. In Douglas rendering, as (salt) meldir, L. mola (salsa), meal mixed with salt with which sacrifices were customarily sprinkled. b. The quantity of one person's corn taken to the mill to be ground at one time. —a. 1513 Doug. ii. ii. 137.
Quhen that of me suldbe maid sacryfyce With salt meldir Ib. iv. ix. 90.
The queyn hir self fast by the altar standis Haldand the meldyr in hir devote handis Ib. xii. iv. 33.b. (1) 1667 Stitchill Baron Ct. 46.
To grind their melder in maner used and wont Ib.
That the owner of ilke melder shall have liberty first to cast in a neiffefful of seeds beffor they grind thei meill or sheillings —(2) 1678 Essay Inscr. Macduff's Crosse 5.
Have we not to this day the word Melder and a melder of corn
