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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.

Rok, v. Also: rock. [ME and e.m.E. rocke(n (Ancr. R.), rokke(n (c1340), late OE roccian.]

1. tr. To move (a child) gently to and fro in, or as in, a cradle to soothe or calm it. a1400 Leg. S. xlv 223.
Scho … Ves rokit sa … As barne that in the kardil vare 1503 Treas. Acc. II 297.
To the thre wemen that rokkit and kepit the barnes 1540 Ib. VII 319.
To the ladyis that kepis and rokis my lord prince ane steke of blechit bertane claytht a1605 Montg. Sonn. l 4.
O happy hand Vhich rockit hir the hour that sho wes b[orne]!

2. To cause to move backwards and forwards, or to and fro; to cause to sway; to shake or agitate. 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 166.
Was nevir wyf sa straitly rokkit; Se ȝe not how my cunt is lokkit? 1567 G. Ball. 153.
I was … as ane fule mockit, Euill tocheit and rockit

3. intr. To move backwards and forwards, or from side to side, though secured at one extremity; to sway.Also, specif., of a ship in rough water.(1) a1500 Henr. Orph. 284.
Before his face ane apill hang … Quhen he gapit, it rokkit [Bann. rollit] to and fro 15.. Christis Kirk 208 (M).
So rudlie rang the commoun bell Quhill all the steipill rokkit for rerde(2) 1513 Doug. x vi 36.
Quhill fynaly, thar rokkand as scho stude, To brystis scho [sc. the ship] Ib. v xiv 77.

b. Of a person: ? To move in an agitated manner. 1533 Boece 457.
Sum … striking, rokking, schowting and doing all vthir thing that mycht walkin men fra sleip