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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ȝesk, Ȝisk, v. Also: yesk, ȝeisk, ȝysk. P.t. ȝiskit, -yt, yexed. [ME and e.m.e. ȝox- (1290), yex, ȝesk (both Chaucer), yiske (c1440), yesk (1530), OE ᵹeocsian, ᵹiscian.]

1. tr.To expel (something) forcibly from the throat, to vomit out. Only in Doug. 1513 Doug. iii ix 82.
His nek of furth of the cave He straucht … Bokkis furth and ȝyskis [Sm. ȝiskis, Ruddim. ȝeiskis] … Raw lumpys of flesch [etc.] 1513 Doug. viii iv 36.
At hys mouth … Hys faderis reky flambe furth ȝiskyt [Sm. ȝiskit, Ruddim. ȝeskis] he 1513 Doug. viii iv 154.
Furth of his throt … A laithly smok he ȝiskis [Ruddim. ȝeiskis] blak as hell 1513 Doug. ix vi 98.
Blude and wyne … he … ȝeskis in the ded thraw

2. intr.To belch, hawk, expectorate or hiccup. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4359 (B).
Scho puft and ȝiskit with sic riftis That verry dirt come furth with driftis Urquhart Rabelais i xxi 90.
He … yawned, spitted, coughed, yexed

3. To sob. 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Singultio, to yesk or sobbe