A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1501-1508, 1569-1570
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Pokar, -er(r, n. One who fishes (in Spey) ? with a poke-net (Poke n. 3 b, but this is recorded only later) or, ? more probably, by jabbing with a spear or leister (e.m.E. and ME poke v., e.m.E. poker one who pokes (1608)): cf. Poking vbl. n. — 1501 Reg. Privy S. I 100/1.
To sustene ony skaith in the wynnyng of the saidis fischingis [sc. of Spey] be evil disposit persons, principaly be pokaris 1508 Hist. Pluscardyn 236.
And for the peceable bruking of our twa cobillis fysching of the watter of Spey … and removing of robaris and pokaris tharefra at thare gudly poweris 1569–70 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 650/1.
Writ to my Lord Huntle … to command all his tenentes … that na pokerrs nor speir men cum in your wateris
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"Pokar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/pokar>
