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.
Pet-, Pettaill, n. Also: ped-. [ME. pytaille, also pedaile, -ale (Manning), pitaile (a 1352), pedel (c 1400), AF. pedaile, OF. pietaille, pitaille, foot-soldiery, f. pié, pied foot. Cf. Pita(i)ll n.] Camp-followers going on foot. —1375 Barb. xi. 238 (E).
For owtyn cariage and pettaill [C. pouerale] That ȝemyt … wittaill Ib. xiii. 229.
Petaill (1571 pedaill) c1460 Consail Vys Man 319.
Gyf nane mycht fundinge bee To clame that gold … To deill it to the pure petaill [: hospetaill]
