A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Rutour, -oure, n. Also: rwt-, rowtt-; ruitt-; rutt- and -owr. [Late ME and e.m.E. rowter (Caxton), AF routour, OF routeur (both in OED), f. route Rout n.1 6. Cf. ME roter (v.rr. rotour, -or) (1297) a robber or highwayman, f. OF routier.]
1. A rogue; a ruffian.c1420 Wynt. v 4664.
Quhare Bellyallys barnys ware brulyhand And rwtowrys [C. rutowris] raggyd rech royhland
2. A lecher; a debauchee; a dissolute person; one given to excess.1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 75.
He … causit his myschevous ruttouris to defoule hir Ib. 184.
He had nane sa familiar to him as fydlaris, rutouris, huremasteris & sportouris Ib. II 100.
Rowttouris 1533 Boece 257.
Thare awne prince … was ane rutour gevin to plesour of wemen Ib. 341.
He grewe to ane rutoure acceptabill to deuoraris and swelliaris and sic as vsit surfett a1585 Polwart Flyt. 800 (T).
Rank ruittour [H. riatoure] scurliquitour and juittour nane fower
