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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.

Rang(e, v. Also: raynge, raung. [ME raunge (WMidl., c1400), rawnge (Pistill of Susan), e.m.E. raynge (1523), range (1533), OF ranger (1175 in Larousse), f. rang, Rang(e n. See also Renge v.In some instances of sense 1, perh. aphetic f. Arange v.]

1. tr. To array or draw up (persons, esp. soldiers) in (also on) a specified formation; to arrange (an army) in ranks; to arrange, dispose.In earliest use, only in the phr. to range in (on) raw (rawis), to draw up in lines, rows or ranks. Also reflex.(1) 1375 Barb. xi 431.
Thai stude than rangit all on raw, Reddy for till byde battale Ib. xii 36 (E).
For that he saw Him swa rang [C. araynge] his men on raw c1450-2 Howlat 244 (A).
Quhen thai [sc. birds] war rangit on rawisreflex. 1375 Barb. xvii 348 (E).
Thai saw That mengne raung thaim sua on raw(2) 1456 Hay I 57/3.
The Romaynis … met thame … in bataill rangit a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1677) 124.
They stood ranged in three battels(b) 1570 Leslie 211.
Monsieur Dandelot had quicklie raynged his fuit men in guid ordour(3) a1605 Montg. Sonn. xxxiii 13.
Fickle Fortun whirld me from hir vheell: Rank and renoun in lytill roum sho ranged

b. transf. in to range the brod, ? to set chessmen in their places before a game. 1640 Bk. Pasquils 99.
The bischops bracke the play: they rang'd the brod

2. To traverse (a place), usu. with the intention of searching it thoroughly; to go through in such a way as to cover as much ground as possible. 1533 Boece 155.
Romanis … chargeit certane walit men range the woddis and ceirs strenthis 1555 Acts II 497/2.
That na persoun range vther mennis woddis, parkis [etc.] a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 329/2.
Thevis hes done my rowmes range and teymd my fald

b. With personal obj.: To pass through a group or crowd. — c1590 Fowler I 72/132.
Anniball, that victor long who did the Romanis range c1590 J. Stewart 14/67.
As thunder throw the elements dois rout … So Roland rangeit all the chiftans stout

3. intr. a. To move backwards and forwards over a large area as if searching.With and without locative complement. 1570 Sat. P. xviii 23.
Throw out this realme lyke ratches se ȝe range a1570-86 Balnavis Maitl. F. 359/93.
Suppois thow raynge ouir all the grange And seik baythe syk and swch 1685 Hay Fleming Six Saints II 108.
Let them range and search as much and as long as they please

b. ? To go (swiftly or forcefully). Cf. Rang(e n.¹ 3 a. — 15.. Clar. iv 970.
Ane greine meid, Whair hovit monie nobill knight on steid With speir in hand cumming for to range To the assay