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.
Quotation dates: <1375, 1375-1499, 1622-1626
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Mercer, -sar(e, n. [ME. (12th c.) and e.m.E. mercer, -ser, mercer, dealer in costly textiles, F. (13th c.) mercier, dealer in small-wares, haberdasher.] a. Early instances as a surname. b. A (? small) dealer or broker. c. A trafficker, trader. —a. c 1200 Liber Calchou 400.
Wilielmo le mercer 12.. Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 37.
Duncano Mersar burgensi de Aberdene 1328 Exchequer Rolls I. 116.
Johannis mercer 1414 Ib. IV. 202.
Michaeli Mersareb. 14.. Acts I. 27/2.
Of stallangearis and mersaris [L. mercenariorum] and the mersar [L. mercenarius] that has his bothe coveritc. 1622-6 Bisset II. 200/35.
The Libianis war first merceris and caryaris of stufe as factouris pedlaris or brokaris dois with ws
