Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BURGHER, v. To make a burgess of, specif. in a mock manner in a prank on some public occasion, esp. the King's birthday (George III). See Burgess, v. Vbl.n. burghering.Sc. 1821 Blackwood's Mag. (Oct.) 306:
On the top of this box [stand-pipe cover in Parliament Square, Edinburgh] it was the strange pleasure of the crowd in those days to burgher every decently-dressed person of whom they could lay hold. This burghering, or admitting to the freedom of the square, consisted in placing the individual on his bottom on top of the box, which rose like the ridge of a house, and then lifting him up by the arms and legs, and bringing him down three times, with more or less severity, as the caprice of the exhibitors, or the unwillingness of the party suggested.
[From Burgh, n.1]
