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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.

Waw, Wave, Waif(f, Waff, v. Also: vawe, vaf(f)-, wayfe, wayff, weave. [ME and e.m.E. waȝien (c1200), wawe(n (Wyclif), OE waᵹian, MLG wagen, MDu. waghen, ON vaga to wag, waddle; ME and e.m.E. wave (1387-8), OE wafian, ON váfa to swing, vibrate; ME and e.m.E. waif, wef(e (both Cursor M.), weue(n (c1300), weyue(n (Manning), wafe(n, wayue(n (both 14th c.), wayf (a1400-50), waive (Destr. Troy), waue (c1400), waff(e (York Myst.), weave (Spenser), ON veifa to wave, swing, MDu. weiven.

1. intr.Of a flag, etc.: To move because of the action of the wind (to, with the wind), to move to and fro, to flap. Also fig. 1375 Barb. ix 246.
Cummand Wyth baneris to the wynd wawand [C. vafand] 1375 Barb. xi 193 (C).
Vaffand ?1438 Alex. ii 7022.
That my standart vpdressit be, The banare waiffand to the wynd c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 178/15.
As with the wynd wavis the wickir, Wavis [B. wannis, M. waveris] this warldis vanite 1513 Doug. ix xi 44.
Onsned branschis wavand [Ruddim. waiffand] heir and thar 1535 Stewart 13476.
Standertis waifing with the wynd full wydefig. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 178/15 (see above).

b. Of a bird: To flap with its wings. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8476.
Rauins … Waffand with thair wings Dawbing thair nebbis & at the windois dings

2. transf.Of a person: To move (with the wind) after being hanged, to move to and fro in a widdy (= noose), on ane trie. Cf. Wag v. 1 b. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 440.
I war wourthy to be Hingit heigh on ane tre … To waif with the wynd c1530-40 Stewart in Maitl. F. 354/41.
Wilfull wrang mon in ane woddie waiff 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3973 (B).
Waif [Ch. weaue] a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 812 (L).
Lo! quhair he hingis … And in ane widdie wayffis c1590 J. Stewart 245 § 180.
Quhow Absolon did die Link be the haire hich vawing on ane trie

3. Of (the motion of) water or wind: To move in a rolling, surging fashion. c1420 Wynt. i 393 (W).
The watteris woxe … Off wellis waiffit [R. waveryde, E. wawerit] wawis wyde c1515 Asl. MS I 160/18.
The se of the occeane … gevis ebbing & flowing and swellyis in seis & wyndis wawis thairin 1513 Doug. vi v 124.
The sowth wynd Nothus thre days me drave Throw owt the see, with violent wallys wave [Sm. waif] 1513 Doug. x ii 102.
Lyke as first, or wyndis blast be persave The swouch is hard within the woddis waif [Ruddim. waue; L. volutant]

b. fig.To move erratically, to waver. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 183/59.
Fortoun … Quhais fals behechtis as wind hyne wavis 1513 Doug. xii v 4.
Juturna … saw the common wlgar hartis wave [Ruddim. waif; L. variare] In … ententis seir

4. To signal by waving (with the hand). 1619 Misc. Bann. C. I 201.
The bishop … wavit with his hand to come in

5. tr.To cause (something) to move in various of the above senses. Also const. vpe. Also fig.b. To waive one's bones, ? to exert oneself, move swiftly. a1400 Leg. S. xxv 315.
With that the curtyng vpe he wauit c1420 Wynt. i 401 (W).
The arche wes waiffit [R. drywyn, E. drewin] oure hillis hie Till one the hecht of Armenee Ground it tuke a1500 Prestis of Peblis 547.
With that the king the bob of birks can waue The fleis away out of his woundis to haue 1513 Doug. i vi 26.
Venus … With wynd waving [Ruddim. waffing] hir haris lowsit of tres 1513 Doug. iii vi 4.
The sowth wyndis blast Our piggeis and our pynsalis wavit fast 1513 Doug. vi viii 113.
Quhidder wavyt [Sm. waffit] … by storm of the see, Or at command of goddis, cum thou? 1513 Doug. vii Prol. 59.
The wynd maid waif [Sm. wayfe] the red wed on the dyke 1538 Lynd. Justing 19.
Full womanlie thay … waiffit in the wynd thare heillis 1572 Sat. P. xxxii 112.
Tressoun vntrew will gar ane widdie waif 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 224.
That ane man should pas in midfield betuix thame and waif his hatt, and than euerie pairtie to reteir hame 1591 Burntisland B. Ct. 17 Dec.
The said Alexander waffit and cust his clok … in the hors face 1671 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III 314.
The said John Grahame … did vawe a paper about his heid cryeing [etc.]fig. 1513 Doug. xi xv 66.
Phebus … grantit to fulfyll Of hys axin a party … Bot for the tother part, … He leit do waif with the swyft wynd awayb. 1603 Cal. Sc. P. XIII 1113.
He shall let no man know his purpose in Flanders [etc.] … Yours, cousin, to his uttermost, James Nisbett. [Postscript. Ye shall be careful to] waive [your bones hard]