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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.

Libertine, -tyne, n. Also: -toun, libbertene. [ME. (Wyclif) and e.m.E. libertine, freedman (Wyclif), sectary (1563–83), licentious person (1593), L. lībertīnus, F. libertin.]

1. A freedman in ancient Rome. 1533 Bell. Livy II. 54/26.
It war ane mater of grete effect, quhidder ane servand or ane libertyne [L. libertinum] war mad consull 1669 Jus Populi 52.
Who could more powerfully sway in the palace than eunuchs, grooms and libertines?

b. A serf or bondman who has been manumitted. 1456 Hay I. 195/14.
Thare is a maner of bondis callit libertouns [F. libertins], the quhilkis ar under certane condicioun of bondage to mak certayne labourage on the felde … and nocht ellis 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. Table ii. 86.
Libertines are they quha sometime were bondmen and now are frie

c. fig. 1626 Garden Worthies 21.
When all our barrons were in bondage bound, Allone a libertine … abode

2. a. A sectary. b. One who leads a licentious life, a libertine. 1584 Cal. Sc. P. VII. 219.
Oure bisschopis of quham sum ar gros libertynis and bely godis 1586 Test. R. Gourlaw in Misc. Bann. C. II. 213.
Of buikis, … ‘Ansueris to the Libbertenis’