Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

*Heft, Heff, n.² [Also in the mod. (espec. south Sc.) dial., and as v.; of Scand. origin: cf. ON. hefð prescriptive right, hefða v., to acquire prescriptive rights.] A pasture which cattle have been habituated to and continue to frequent, an accustomed pasture. — 1678 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II. 229 (2 Dec.).
[Should any of the said Adam's cattle. .come home through the said] rowme, [the tenants promise not to molest them but either to put them back to the] heft [or allow them to pass peaceably homeward;] 1686 Ib. 313 (26 May).
Heff