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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rancounter, Rencounter, v. Also: ram- and -cownter, -cunter, -conter; ranckunter. [e.m.E. rencounter (1503–4), 17th c. Eng. also rancounter (1672), F. rencontrer. Cf. Recounter v.]

1. tr. To engage (an enemy, etc.) in fight or battle; to attack, assail. Also fig.(1) 1570 Leslie 135.
[The Earl of Arran] uischet furth of Lythqwo, and … rancounterit the Erle of Lennox 1584 Colville Lett. 52.
Thai had bein sufficient party to haif rencontrit the king and all his cumpany 1643 Acts VI i 18/2.
If they shall have occasioun of rancountering these friggottis 1643 Melville Corr. 94.
Two troupes of horse and fyftein hundereth men rancountered vs in the verie entry with salves of muskett 1669 Jus Populi To the Reader 6.
The enemy send forth a troup, which was rancountered with another of the honest party 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 113.
A parcell of pretty men … unexpectedly rancountered them upon the sands(2) c1590 Fowler I 68/28.
As wyld lyons … other beasts in rage rancounters(3) fig. 1682 Lauder's Observes App. iv 306.
Ilk ply as it were rancountering another wresling and fighting in his hass

b. To engage (a person) in dispute. 1562 Q. Kennedy Ressoning 183.
I was persuaded be my Lord of Cassillis not to rancounter yow, or els, treulie, ye suld not haif passed unrancountered

c. To dispute or challenge (an action, allegation, etc.); to oppose by counter-action. 1638 Rothes Affairs Kirk 111.
If ther be any new proclamatione it is thoght fitt that it may be obviate and rancountered with a new protestatione Ib. 168.
A protestatione had been ever made … to rancounter sum public act a1651 Calderwood V 75.
We have peaceablie putt up all these indigniteis to this day; never rencountering the same

2. To meet or encounter (a person) by chance; to come across. 1549 Compl. 7/20.
Ane pure man of Perse, quha be chance rencountrit Kyng Darius c1575 Balfour Pract. 492.
Gif ony persoun … is haldand ane horse … on ane brig … meitis and rancounteris ony uther persoun … drivand twa or ma horse [etc.] c1610 Melville Mem. (1683) 79.
The Earl of Bothwel rancountered her with a great company 1650 Laing MSS I 251.
We ranckuntred a friend

b. To meet by appointment. 1638 Johnston Diary I 394.
My L. Loudon, quho was to rencounter the Commissioner at Glascou presbyterie

c. To come upon (an opportunity). 1611 Crim. Trials III 157.
I wes exceeding glaid to have rencountered that occasion to offer to your lordschip this discours

d. Of a thing: To come to one's attention or into one's possession; to present itself to the senses. c1590 Fowler I 28/50.
Thair did rancounter me and to me did appeir A sight [etc.] 1640 Cuningham Journal 11.
The same [sc. a writing] shal rencounter and come to the hands and eyes both of friends and foes

3. intr. To meet one another. a. In battle. b. By chance. c. With non-personal subject.Cf. Recounter v. 2.a. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 202/12.
A bloodie battell … Betwixt the baptiz'd race And … Turkes Rencountring in that place —b. 1601 Mackie Denmilne MSS 32.
I howp that the providence off the Almychtie hes maid us so happely to rancounter —c. 1616 Aberd. B. Rec. II 340.
The said tabill to rancownter round about the cungȝeis till it cum to the sklaittis

4. To rencounter with, to come upon, to fall in with.Cf. e.m.E., in this sense (once, 1583).
Freq. referring to a situation where violence follows or is imminent. 1608 Crim. Trials II 539.
He thaireftir rancounterit with the said vmq^le Thomas [etc.] 1610 Ib. III 104.
Quhair ȝea haveing rancounterit … with tuo Englisch schipes, … ȝea … invaidit and persewit the saidis tua schipes 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 136.
Y-Macky did rencunter with the Slaight-ean-voir at Durines, wher, efter a sharp skirmish he overthrew them 1632 Lithgow Trav. vii 330.
I rancountered here with a countrey gentleman of mine Ib. viii 373.
Vpon the seaventh day wee rancountred with another soyle 1638 Henderson Serm. 302.
Any cross that he could rancounter with 1644 Mure I p. xvi. 1651 Dickson Matthew 317.
We must rancounter with the trouble and triall unprepared as we are 1657 Misc. Hist. Soc. VII 21.
Rancowntred Ib. 22.
Rencowntrend 1660 Conv. Burghs III 511.
The difficulties and discuradgment yow rancounter with 1664 Highland P. III 32.
It was never his intention to wrong that person hee unhappily then ramcountered with