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 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Staff-slung, Stafsling, n. Also: stafe-, stalf-, and -slyng, -slo(u)ng. [ME and e.m.E. staffe-slyng (14th c.), staff slynge (Chaucer); Staf(f n. and Slung n.] a. A sling attached to a staff to increase its range and striking power. b. A kind of catapult or balista. 1375 Barb. xvii 344.
The Inglis ost arme thaim … With instrumentis of ser maneris As scaffaldis, leddris & couering, Pikkys, howis & with staf-slyng a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 358.
The wit thou suld have had was castin in Evyn at thyne ers, bakwart, wyth a staf slong [B. stalf slung [pr. flung], M. staff sloung] 1513 Doug. vii xi 111.
The maste part To schut or cast war perfite in the art, With leyd pellokis from engynys or staf slyng 1513 Doug. ix ix 134.
Ane gret staf slung byrrand with felloun weght Hynt Mezentius … The stryngis thrys abowt hys hed assays And this ilk Arcens … Hes smertly with a ledyn pellok slane c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 226.
He slew the Giant Golyas, In the foirheid with ane stane and stafsling 1557–8 Treas. Acc. X 336.
To charge the inhabitantis of the tounis of Innerkething [etc.] … to big dikis and fowseis and to have stafe slungis in the reddines to the portis thairof 1557–8 Treas. Acc. X 338.