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.
(Pike-,) Pyke-purs(e, n. Also: pyick-. [e.m.E. and ME. pykepurs (Chaucer), -porse (Piers Plowman), pike-purse (1542), f. pike Pike v.1 2. Cf. also e.m.E. purgatorie pyckepourse (1537), pikepurce purgatorie (1556). See also Pik-purs n.] One who steals purses or their contents. Only fig. or in fig. context. —1562 Knox Ressoning 7 b.
To proue … purgatorie to be nothing but a pyke-purs 1615 Drummond II. 162/9.
Thy syre no pyick-purse is of others witt 1666 Kirkintilloch B. Ct. 10.
Ane notirious pyke purse named Helein Lowrie
