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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†GOAD(S)MAN, n. = Gaudsman, q.v. (Bnff. 1908 Banffshire Jnl. (17 Nov.) 5). Obs. since early 17th c. in Eng. Surviving in ne.Sc. surname Godsman [′gʌudzmən].Clc. 1695 Masterton Papers (S.H.S.) 487:
A barnman 16 ^lib., and a goadman 10 ^lib.Lth. 1762 A. Dickson Treatise Agric. 223:
The goadman or driver knows, by the position of the yokes or cross-trees, whenever one of them [oxen] does not draw equally with his fellow.Arg. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XIV. 141:
Some gentlemen have begun to use the two-horse plough, but hitherto rarely without a goad's man.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality vi.:
Ye may be goadsman for the first twa or three days, and tak tent ye dinna o'er-drive the owsen.Slk. c.1826 Hogg in Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 176:
The plowman plows without the sock The goadman whistles sparely.Abd. 1881 W. Paul Past & Present 88:
It was usual for the goadsman who drove the team to whistle slow airs.