A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456, 1549-1624
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Ruggar, -er, n. Also: -air; ruger. [Rug v. 4 and 8.] A robber or depredator; one given to rapine. Only in collocations with Refar n. 1456 Hay II 40/3.
Mony ruggaris and revaris and othir wikkit men destroy the commouns and distrouble the realme 1570 Satirical Poems xxi 3.
Ruggars, reifars, Romeraikars 1596 Dalr. II 61/20.
Seueirlie to punise al traytouris, theiues, ruggaris and reiuers of vther menis geir 1596 Ib. 130/21.
Manifest ruggers and reiuers on the sey ?1549 Monro W. Isles (1961) 70.
The said heavin is quiet for fostering of thieves, ruggaris [v.r. -airs] and reevaris till await upon the … spuilȝeing of poor mens geir 1624 Glasgow Weavers 69.
Calling him ane ruger and river, and ane oppressour
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"Ruggar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ruggar>
