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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.

(Se-farand,) Se-fairrand, Sey-farand, -fareing, ppl. adj. Also: sie-, sea- and -fairing, -fayring, -fayrand, -fearing, -ferand, -ferran. [ME and e.m.E. safarinde (c1200), see-farand (1405, north.), seafaryng (1566); Se n.¹ and Fare v.]

a. Of a case at law, an occupation, etc.: Pertaining to or connected with life at sea; naval, maritime. b. Of towns: Situated by and having trading connections with the sea. c. Of persons: Seafaring; following the profession of a mariner.a. 1521 Dundee B. Ct. I fol. 29 (24 May).
To be pait within terme of law that is xxiiij houris as seyfarand actoune 1580–1 Crim. Trials I ii 93.
Dilatit of certane crymes of pirrasis … the cryme quhairof he is accusit is ane sefairrand mater 1593 Edinb. B. Rec. V 95.
That na merchants, skippers, [etc.] … tak upoun thame … exerceing of sey fayrand occupatioun within the dominiouns of the King of Spayne(b) 1615 Melrose P. 598.
Caiptane Buttone … na thing inferior in the knowledge of sea fearing matteris 1616 Reg. Great S. 516/2.
In omnibus maritimis lie siefayring aliisque causis 1622-6 Bisset II 216/6.b. 1590 Glasgow B. Rec. I 153.
Throuch the haill seyferand touns 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 112.
To Leyth or some uther sie-ferran towne neirbyc. 1558 Admir. Ct. Bk. (St. S.) 81.
Of certane honest seyferand men(b) 1590 Welwod 39 title.
The Sea-Law of Scotland shortly gathered and plainly dressit for the reddy use of all Sea-fairingmen 1602 Conv. Burghs II 141.
At the sicht of ony guid sey fairing men 1621 Acts IV 672/2.
The pure distrest seyfairing people … within the port of Leith 1670 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 267. 16.. Admir. Ct. Form 61.
Ryot committed within the sea flood … be any off our soverayne lords leidges of sea fareing men