Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TOP, v.1 Sc. †variant of Eng. tap, to draw (liquor) from a tap: to sell wine, etc., in small quantities, to retail. The form illustrates the reverse process of P.L.D. § 54. Hence toper, a retailer of liquor.Sc. 1707 Acts Parl. Scot. XI. 479:
All ale and beer to be either brown or in brought topt vended and sold. . . . The brewars vintiners sellers topers and retaillers of the said ale and beer.Sc. 1724 Records Conv. Burghs (1885) 341:
None dwelling out of burrows use merchandize, nor top nor sell wine, wax, etc., nor staple goods, outwith burrows.Gsw. 1746 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1911) 246:
The touns impost or duty of tuo pennys Scots on the pynt of ale and beer either brewed in, brought, vended, topped or sold within the city and privileges therof.
