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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Trister,) Trystar, -er, n. Also: treister. [Trist(e n.¹]

1. One who brings together, mediates between or reconciles (two people, opposing parties); a mediator, go-between; a matchmaker.(a) 1608 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 50.
In expensis … with the … nychtbors trystaris for the toun concerning the marches betwix the toun and Henry Wardlaw 1628 Pastor and Prelate 38.
There be ever some Catholick moderators, that will be trysters betwixte us and Rome, and thinke to agree Christ and Antichrist 1632 Elgin Rec. II 223.
Helen Tarres for the reset of mens servantis wnder nicht keiping them from ther masters seruice and being tryster betuixt sundry personis men and women [etc.] 1649 Dingwall Presb. 142.
The elders deponed … that [the minister] is no tryster in civill business 1655 Baillie III 279.
We had drawne up ane overture, as we thought, very favourable … and by the hands of the trysters, Mr. Blair and Mr. Durhame, sent it into their meeting; also the trysters had given us both their [sc. the Remonstrators'] overtures to be thought upon 1658 Dumfries Kirk S. 13 May.
[Being] told that he behoved to be judged for that sinne he answered that Mr. John wold not be his tryster at that day 1678 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. III 216.
Offered to prove, by the writer's witnesses and trysters, that the sum was blank at the subscribing 1696 Fountainhall Decis. I 701.
The Lords … ordained the writer and witnesses of the discharge to be examined if the same was only in relation to the top-story [sc. of a burnt tenement], as also the commoners and trysters betwixt them 1697 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. IV 369.
After she had agreed on all the terms of her contract of marriage … to which Mr. Bannerman was not only privy, but was the only proxeneta and tryster for her(b) 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1751) 83.
Like atheists pleading law refuges; Like country treisters turning judges

2. One who frequents ‘trysts’ or livestock markets. 1622 Fife Synod 96.
Act against ministers quha ar farmourers or trysters … in special … theis quha have farm roumes in labouring besyd their ordinar glyb, and theis quha ar comoun trysters and imployed frequently about trysting