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 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Screke,) Screik, Scrik(e, Screek, Shreech, v. [ME and e.m.E. shrike (c1200), scrich (a1250), skryke (Rolle), skreak (1565), screeke, shrick (both 1567), skrech, shreke (both 1577), shreek, shriek (both Shakesp.), screech (1602), ON skrǽkja, Norw. skrika, Dan. skrige, also in the later dial. as skriegh (1715), scriech (1745), screek (1768), etc., prob. echoic.] intro. To utter a shrill, harsh cry; to screech. — a1500 Lanc. 1879.
The woice it scrikth vp … and passith to the hewyne Whar God … resauith … the crye 1579, 1617 Despauter (1617) 119.
Strido, to screik or noyse 1649 Last and Heavenly Speeches of Viscount Kenmuir Epist. Dedic.
Some have chattered as cranes … others screeking as the pelican 1691 Kirk Secr. Commonw. (1964) 224.
Spirits … whistling and shreeching (like unluckly birds) in their unhallowed synagogues 1698 J. Kirkwood Plea before the Kirk (1698) 22.
You … did struggle so rudely with a young woman, one of his servants, that she screek'd and cry'd so terribly, that Sir John came running into the room, and rescued her out of your arms