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 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sterar, Sturrer, n. Also: sterer, steirar, -er, -yr, steerer, (steire). [ME and e.m.E. stirer (Wyclif), sterer (1399), sturrer (c1450), stirrer (1573); Ster(e v.¹] Only const. up: A person who or that which instigates or incites (something), an instigator or promoter (freq. of trouble).(a) a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 146/4.
Calvyne and all others steraris [vp] and mantemaris of there vickit heresy a1605 Montg. Flyt. 272 (H).
Thow stinkand steirar vp of stryff 1596 Dalr. II 357/14.
He was author, and steiryr vp of the first president of Orknay and bischop thair, als to the rest of the senat he was author and persuader [etc.] 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 7/7.
So is there two meanes, which are the first steerers vp & feeders of their curiositie c1610 Melville Mem. 42.
Some he boisted, and admonissit others, knawing weall anough wha wer the sterers vp therof 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 55.
Usse your best endevors to find out and punishe the steires [? erron. for steirers] upe of the lait tumulte(b) 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 54/17.
The … ouer-seers, interteiners or sturrers vp of these craftes-folkes, are equallie guiltie with themselues that are the practisers 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 107.
Alex. Forbesse … the author of these troubles betwixt tuo families and the cheiff sturrer up of Black Arthour against the Gordons