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.
BUSH, n.4 A warehouse in Leith used for the storage of timber and other imported goods. See Timmer, n., 1. (2). Comb. bush-maill, a impost for the use of the Bush.Edb. 1753 W. Maitland Hist. Edb. 496:
The Close at the lower End of the Paunchmarket, at present called the Burss. . . . A spacious enclosure, denominated The Timber Bush, from its being a Depository, or Storeplace for the Reception of Timber or Wood of all sorts imported at Leith. Sc. 1753 A. Chalmer Exercise of Power of Parliament 13:
A Custom of one Merk upon each Pack of foreign Goods, Bush-Maill, and Shore-dues at Leith.
[The word is a corruption of Fr. bourse, a merchants' exchange, which formerly occupied the site of the Timmer Bush. O.Sc. has burs, of Leith, 1578.]
