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.
Pilȝan(e, -ȝon, n. Also: pill- and -eane, -ȝeane; pilihon; Pullion. [Gael. pillin, -ean, in this sense, dimin. of pell (peall; OIr. pill), gen. sing. pill, couch, pallet, cushion. Cf. north. e.m.E. pyllyon (Palsgrave, gl. housse à femme), ? piniors (1571, perh. erron. for pillions), also 17th c. Eng. pillion ( ? f. Ir. Pilíin), pillian, pillen. Cf. also Pilȝet n.] A light saddle for a woman, a pillion. Also attrib. with -sadill.See also maill-pilȝeane, s.v. Male n.3 b.1503 Treas. Acc. II. 214.
For v elne claith of gold to be ane pilȝane to the quene Ib. 390.
For tua childeris wages wirkand … with the quenis sadillar maid the pilȝon of clath of gold 1505 Ib. III. 44. 1507 Ib. 270.
For … wellus to be ane pilȝan to the quene agane hir passand to Quhithirn Ib. 399.
Ane heich quhit sadil for the quene for ane pilȝane c 1680 Bk. Dunvegan I. 204.
Ane pilleane 1687 Hector Renfrewshire Rec. I. 45.
Ane new pamfrie pilihon
