Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ostlary(e, -ie, n. Also: oistlary, -ie, -é; oisterlie. [e.m.E. ostlerie (1597–8); var. of Ostillary n. Cf. Hostilary n. and Hostlary n.]

1. The keeping of an inn or tavern. = Hostlary n. 1, Hostilary n. 3. 1577–8 Reg. Privy C. II. 675.
To command … all and sindry the inhabitantis of the burrowis and townis … quhair oistlary is used, that thay prepair … bakin breid, browin aill, wyne, [etc.] 1609 Conv. Burghs II. 275.
As to the signis, to caus thair inhabitantis to haue the samyn hung at thair houssis and speciale sic as vsis ony kind of oisterlie or chainge a1651 Calderwood VI. 12.
Ostlarie

2. An inn or tavern. = Hostlary n. 2, Hostilary n. 2, Ostillary n. b. 15.. Clar. iv. 1888.
He … went unto ane ostlarie to rest Ib. 6. 1600 Acts IV. 250/1.
Seing it is necessarie to haif … oistlareis for intertenement of all persouneis resortand to the saidis harboreis 1621 Ib. 613/2.
That no man sall play at cairdes nor dyce in any … toun ostlarye or kuikis housis 1654 Strathendrick 8.
Ostlaries

3. The entertainment provided for the public at an inn or tavern. 1622 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 136.
Sum nytbors venters of oistlarie & wines refuss to sell the saim to all personis [etc.]