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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.

Plum(b, Plomb, n. Also: plim. [ME. and e.m.E. plum (Cursor M.; v.rr. plumbe, plumme), plume (a 1350), plom (c 1440), OF. *plombe, plomme (1309 in Godef.; mod. F. plomb) sounding lead, late L. Plumba, orig. pl. of plumbum lead.]

1. A mass or ball of lead, used for various purposes.a. A ball or bullet of lead. b. The weight attached to a mason's plumb-line (appar. the earliest sense in ME.).a. 1496 Treas. Acc. I. 295.
For muldis to cast the plumbis in Ib. 296.
A ladil of irne for the plumbis ȝetting 1504 Ib. II. 433.
For … casting of plummys for gunnis 1506 Ib. III. 203.
xl plumbes of lede for falconnys to the schipb. 1538 Edinb. Guild Ct. 10 July.
Efter the form of ane drawin scor maid with plomb & reul apon the lintale of the … enteres

2. A deep hole for use as a privy. Also comb. with Jurdane n. c1500-c1512 Dunb. l. 38.
Thairfoir Quhentyne was bot ane lurdane That callit him ane full plum jurdane 1546 Edinb. Guild Ct. 25 Apr.
For rovme to help the settis of his closettis & plimis vp gif he likis to the esin