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.
Poveraill, n. Also: pouerale, -alȝe, -all, powyrall, puuerale. [ME pouerail, -al (1297; Cursor M.), -aile (14th c.), thereafter appar. only the syncopated form poraille etc. (see Purale n.), OF povraille, -alle (a 1236 in Godef.), collective n. f. povre Pover adj., Pur(e adj.2] Poor people collectively, the poor. = Purale. In Barbour spec. applied to the camp-followers of an army, as a body. —a. 1375 Barb. viii 275 (E).
The cariage & the powyrall [C. pouerale] That war nocht worth in the bataill Behynd him levyt he Ib. 368.
That the king … With a quhone lik to pouerall [C. poueralȝe] Wencusyt him with a gret menȝe Ib. xi 238 (C), 420 (C), xiii 229 (C) (see Petaill n.).b. c1420 Wynt. iv 1665 (W).
Ȝit throu pouerall of that tovne He [Hannibal] wes put syne to confusioun 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 2122.
Thy greit puissance may … pouerall to mekill auaill sone bring 1514 Aberd. B. Rec. I 90.
And herbrearis of suspect personis … and all vther personis puuerale cumand within this burgh
