Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Lave, v. Also: lawe, laif, laive, leve, leave. [ME. lave(n, OE. lafian to pour and also F. laver to wash.] tr. a. To remove (water etc.) with a bucket or scoop; to bale. Also absol. and with complement. a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 471 (Ch. & M.).
Thow fylde faster than fyftenesum mycht lawe [B. laif] a1568 Balnevis Bann. MS. 138 a/4.
Repent ȝe sall quhen ȝe ar thrall Fra tyme that dub be lavit 1608 Hilderstoun Silver Mines I. 7 b.
Aucht coigis to leave the watter with 1614 Ayr B. Acc. 65.
For twa scuppis to laif the wattir, x s. 1641 Acts V. 419/2.
Watermene who leves and draves water in the coallheughe head 1672 Sinclair Hydrostaticks 284.
Where there is a necessity to lave the water from place to place 1678 Cramond Ch. Grange 33.
He denied that he either damed or leaved 1681 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt Mar. 19.
For 3 scopes to leave watter

b. To pour water over or on (something); also, to bathe. 1551 Hamilton Cat. 192.
In sum countrei thai use to dippe the barne thrise in the … font and in sum … thai laive or powris wattir on the barne thrise a1585 Maitl. Q. xlviii. 7.
Declair ȝe bankis of Helicon … of the ladyis that did lave Thair bodyis by ȝour brim