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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.

Renge, Ringe, v. Also: rynge, rindge; reign. [ME and obs. e.m.E. renge(n (Ancr. R.), rengne (c1420), OF rengier (1160 in Larousse), to set in rank or line; to roam. Cf. Rang(e v., and 17th c. Eng. renged ppl. adj. (once, 1609), also later Sc. dial. reenge, ringe to set in order; to reinge (reenge, ringe) the ribs = to clear out the ash from the bars of a grate.]

1. tr. To arrange in order or line; to array (troops). 1494 Loutfut MS 41a.
Pommes de pin ar small of the nethir end and has granis rengit ane abone othir 1602 Colville Paraenese 31.
Ane army veill renged in battall

b. To stir about and clear (a fire) by poking it. (Cf. Reinge n.) 1566 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 100.
Ane irne botkin to rynge the fyir

2. To traverse (a place) in order to search it. b. intr. To go hither and thither (through a place) in order to ransack it. 1567 Soc. Ant. IV 408.
And als to renge seik and serche all utheris guidis being in the said park pertaining to onye other persoun or personis 1660 Reg. Great S. 2/2.
[To] ringe the Lamonds (vel indagare lie Lamondis) 1679 Russell Account 439.
Clavers was rindging all the country for themb. 1699 Argyll Justic. Rec. 173.
With dravn swords and bended fyre armes reigning through the house they robbed plundered and [etc.]