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.
Stering, -yng(e, Stearing, vbl. n.2 [ME and e.m.E. steringe (c1220), steering (1599); Ster(e v.2] The action of governing or directing in senses of Ster(e v.2 b. = Sterage n.2 a. —1375 Barb. xvii 456 (C).
It wes nocht eyth till ta The toune, with sic defens wes maid [By thaim] that it in stering had 1375 Barb. ix 515. a1400 Leg. S. x 50.
Eglippus men callit the kinge, That had that land in sterynge a1400 Leg. S. l 437.
Thar was ane That all thing steryt … & throw hym had thar steryng 1691 Lauder Jrnl. 300.
There cannot be ane better direction in the stearing the compass of our lyves then [etc.] —b. 1466 Acts II 86/2.
That na man sale nor pas without the realm in ony merchandise bot a famous and worschipful man hafand of his avn half a last of gudis … in stering & gouernance
