Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DOOMSTER, n.
1. The official, generally the hangman, who formerly pronounced sentence in Scots courts of law. Now arch.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality xxxvi.:
“Doomster,” he continued, “repeat the sentence to the prisoner.”Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xxiv.:
The Doomster shewed himself, a tall hagard figure, arrayed in a fantastic garment of black and grey, passmented with lace.Sc. 1890 Bell Dict. Law Scot. 345:
In the case of a capital conviction in the Court of Justiciary, the doom or sentence was in use to be pronounced by the public executioner, or doomster as he was called — a barbarous practice, which was abolished by Act of Adjournal, 16 March 1773.Fif. 1937 St Andrews Cit. (8 Jan.) 6/4:
The Doomster's Axe of the city . . . is one of the objects of interest in the little [Town Council] museum.Lnk. 1919 G. Rae Clyde and Tweed 20:
I hadna time to straucht my bended back, When words cam' to me like the doomster's wail.
2. Hence, a person or thing of ill-omen.Sc. 1895 “N. Roy” Horseman's Word iii.:
Alangside cairds and dooley-doomsters like you.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail lxxviii.:
But for Dirdumwhamle, . . . to be as one in doleful dumps, is sic a doolie doomster.
