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.
Sabill, Sable, n.1 Also: -ile, -el; (soibill). [Late ME (Lydgate) and e.m.E. sable the sable and its fur, OF sable (c1175 in Larousse), med. L. sabel(l)um, Du. sabel, prob. of Slavonic origin. Cf. Sabilln.2 and adj.] Sable, the skin or fur of the animal.Chiefly sing. in coll. sense, also pl.Also martrik(is) sable, see Martrik n. 3 (3), and see also Martrik n. 1 and 2 for further examples.sing. 1436 Exch. R. IV 680.
In … duobus mantellis pellium martrix dicti sabill 1535 Stewart 50308.
Sic riches … Of siluer werk, … Of silk and sabill 1549 Treas. Acc. IX 352.
For the furring of ane goun of sable a1570-86 Maitl. F. 196/34. 1591-2 Rob Stene 4.
Sabilepl. a1571 Bann. Memor. 348.
To deliuer certane jowellis and furres of martrik and sabels 1645 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 42.
A blak velvit gerkine lynit with soibillis
