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.
Trot, v. Also: trott, trote, troit. [ME and e.m.E. trotte, trote (both Chaucer), trot (Shakespeare), OF troter.] intr. and tr.
1. intr. To proceed at a trot, go at trotting pace; to move briskly.(a) 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 372.
Bot of thare lyffis thay had sic dreid, That thay war faine tyll trott ouer Tweid 1535 Stewart 57468.
The freir … Bad him pas on als fast as he micht trot 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2635 (Ch.).
He trottit nocht from toun to toun, Beggand to feid his carioun 1580 Hume Promine 100.
Into the park did properlie appeir, Richt trimlie trottand into trowpis and twais The wilde quhite cullourit ky a1585 Polwart Flyt. 516 (H).
Ane tyk tormented, trotting out of towne c1590 J. Stewart 54/61.
Ane horssit knycht … did appeir, And in his armes ane proper pucelle gent Quhamvith perforce trottane away he vent 1661 Work Goes Bonnely On 8.
Sixteen fish-wives are to trot from Mussbourgh to the Cannon-cross for twelve pair of lambs harrigals c1682 Claverhouse in 15th Rep. Hist. MSS App. viii 270.
The smith at Menegaff … after whom the forces has troted so often(b) 1612 Inverness Rec. II 98.
For the iniurius vords vterit … saying that God nor he suld stick himselff bot he suld cause them troit to Edinburgh
b. transf. and fig.To trot in (to) ane tow, to hang oneself.1569-73 Bann. Memor. 70.
The queinis suddan hamecuming trotted in the mouthis of all the kyngis enemeis a1605 Montg. Flyt. 65 (T).
Gang trot in ane tow [H. Trote tyke to a towe], mandrak but myance a1585 Polwart Flyt. 138 (T).
Bot, lord! I lawche to sie thé bleitter, … With mankit, manschocht, mankit meitter, Trottand and twmbland top over taill 1671 McWard True Nonconf. 273.
Your loftie Pindarick … doth trote more rudely and lamely then our hobling meeter
2. tr. To perform (a dance) at trotting pace, or with a trotting gait.a1500 Colk. Sow i 300.
A maistir swynhird … And his cousing … Led the dance and began … Sum trottit tras and trenas [etc.]
