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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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

Tapper, Topper, -ar, n. Also: toper, toppeare. [e.m.E. tapper (c1537), OE tæppere.]

1. One who sells ale or wine; a publican, innkeeper. Cf. Tapstar n. 1. 1588 Perth Kirk S. in Lawson Bk. Perth 181.
That no … toppers of wine and ale, receive or keep within their houses on the Sabbath-day any person or persons … in time of preaching or sermon 1595 St. A. Kirk S. 808.
That na topperis of wyne nor aill prepair ony disjunnis [on Sunday] 1688 Lauder Notices Affairs II 853.
What shall be sold by … merchands-importers to vintiners and others, who shall tap and retaill the same, that the saids vintiners, tappers, and retaillers … are lyeable for payment of the said inland excise

2. A seller or retailer (of some product or commodity). = Tapstar n. 2.(a) 1591 Dundee B. Laws 130.
Certain merchandis, tappers of Scottis steill 1605 Glasgow Merchants House 71.
That tappers of linen and woolen cloth be suffered from morning to evening at their pleasure to sell all kind of vivers(b) 1479 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 37 (see Tap v.¹ 2 pres. (b)).
Topperis 1536 Kirkwall Chart. 13.
Et omnes et singulos peregrinos premercatores lie packeris peileris toperis 1550–1 Perth Guildry 274 (20 Feb.).
That na merchandis nor vthir topparis nor sellaris tak apon hand … to top or sell ony kynd of merchandis or pennyworthis bot with just mettis and mesuris 1568 (c1650) Dundee B. Laws 35.
It is statut … that na cadgeares nor vther persones toppars of the fisch pretend to buy or sell any fisches in this mercat 1575 Glasgow B. Rec. I 39.
That na huksteris, topparis of salt, fre or vnfre, … by ony salt, nor nane be sauld to thame in the tyme of ladyning, quhill ix houris of the daye 1581 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 216.
That na … topperis … tak vpoun hand to sell, mett furth, resaue, or vse fra … ony vther mesour of pek and furlett … nor that quhilk sall be maid agreand to the townis measouris 1595 Glasgow B. Rec. I 173.
All and sindry toppeares and sellares of corne 1674 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. IV 275.
Toppers and retaillers