Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1717
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†COYDUKE, n. and v. [′kɔɪdjuk]
I. n. Used as Eng. coyduck (given by N.E.D. and Webster) in the sense of a person who entices others. In Sc. used specifically to mean: 1. “a man employed by a magistrate to tempt people to swear, that they might be fined” (Sc. 1825 Jam.2); 2. “a person employed by a seller, at a roup or outcry, to give fictitious bodes or offers, in order to raise the price of an article” (Ib.).
II. v. To decoy. Sc. 1717 Hist. MSS. Comm Report III. 384:
His Grace the Duke of Atholl having coy-duk'd me into his conversation, immediately committed me to prison.
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