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

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

Wardhous, Wairdhous, n. Also: warhouse, wairdehous. [Ward n.¹ and Hous n.¹ 2.] A jail or prison. Also fig.(a) 1597 Acts IV 141/1.
Throw want of sufficient and sure prisones, iailles, and ward housis, sindrie rebellis & transgressouris … eschaipis vnpunischit 1640 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 113.
Andro Meldrum … hes bein this long tym in ward within the wardhous of this burgh 1616 Aberd. Council Lett. I 141.
That thair be sufficient prisones and wardhousis in everie shyre 1617 Cramond Cullen Ann. 31.
There is na tollbuith nor ward hous for halding of justice and keiping of prisoners 1622 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 137.
To be placit in the stoks … all day and at nyt to be put in the laich ward hous 1664 Glasgow B. Rec. III 29.
Jylour and keeper of the ward houssis(b) 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 419.
I know that ye have a guard about you [etc.] … It is good, under feud, to be near our warhouse [pr. ward-house], and stronghold. We can do little to resist … but keep our blood … to the next court-day when our complaints shall be read(c) 1597–8 Edinb. B. Rec. V 213.
To resave in thair wairdhous the aucht Inglis pledges 1603 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 4 March.
He raiff up the lokks … of the counsall hous dur … & braik the dur therof & wairdehous 1608 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 48.
That the baillies … sall visy the loks and durris of the wairdhous 1611 Stirling B. Rec. I 127.
The lettres … concerning prissones and wairdhoussis 1635 Justiciary Cases II 318.
To be committet to waird within the tolbuth or wairdhous of Edinburghfig. 1629 Boyd Last B. 259.
That dungeon and ward house of Hell