Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rak, n.³ Also: rack(e; ract. [e.m.E. racke (Caxton), rakk(e, late ME rake (1460), perh. a special use of Rak,n.² Rare in Sc.] The rack, the instrument of torture. Also pl., in same sense. — c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5105.
And sum, for thare vnleifsum actis Ar rent and rewin apone the ractis 1571 Misc. Bann. C. III 118.
Charles … was send to the Towre [of London], quhair he was pute on the rak and racked a little 1657 Balfour Ann. III 428.
Fearing that if he came in ther handes … they would so squisse him with ther skrewes, … he … to euitt the racke and gins layed for him … bethinks himselue of one way of addresse [etc.] 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii xxiv 3 (1678) 514.
A confession extorted by torture … except it be adhered to after the person tortured is removed from the rack for two or three dayes it makes no faith