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

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

Tax(t)ar, -er, Taxatour, n. Also: taxtaur, taxstair, -ar(e, taxour. [ME and e.m.E. taxoure (Piers Plowman), taxer (1552), AF taxour, med. L. taxator.] a. One who assesses damages. See Tax(t v. 1. c1500 Barounis Lawis 16b.
Thow thi self full art hadd & part in harming & scaithing of me & vthir followand i^m li. and mair at the will of the taxour [Skene Reg. Maj. i 117b, taxer]

b. One who assesses, imposes and levies a tax. See Tax(t v. 2.(a) 1424 Acts II 4/2.
That all taxatouris … warn all maner of man that … the payment be redy in siluer and golde 1424 Acts II 5/1.
That ilk bischop in ilk denry … gar his officiall and his dene summonde all the tenandis … befor him and cheis taxatouris 1585–6 Reg. Privy C. IV 47.
The saidis taxatouris hes stentit thame and certane uthiris abone thair habilitie(b) 1497 Aberd. B. Rec. I 62.
Alexander Gray, Dauid Mathesone [etc.] … taxteris tile extent the towne how mony personis landmen ilkane mane sal beir 1515 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 35 (see Tax(t v. 2 b).
Taxar 1524 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 74.
Rychswa thair be na taxstaris of salt one the mercat day bot the salter … and the taxt that the town is cassin in we will tak it of hour common gudis that is red[i]est 1535 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 155.
The inquest ordines na taxstairis to tax na kynd of ger derrar in the ouk day nor it is sauld in the mercat day 1536–7 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II 82.
The lordis refferris this mater to the taxtaris of Edinburgh 1553–4 Dundee B. Ct. II 277a (8 Jan.).
Ony persone … fundin mispersoning or blasfleming … ony taxtauris or cunnaris of wyne or ayle … sall pay … xl s. 1558–9 Edinb. B. Rec. III 28 (see Tax(t)ing vbl. n. a).
Taxteris 1595–6 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 373.
For cheising of taxtaris to stent ane taxatioune within the said shrefdome for besting [erron. for beiting] mending and reparing of the Brig of Done 1622 Old Dundee I 424.
[Thomas Gray, baxter] ane of the taxters nominat be the crafts 1640 Aberd. B. Rec. III 209.
The toune being convenit … for electing and choosing of taxstares to stent the … inhabitantis of this burghe 1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 12.
Quhilk taxtars … gave thair solemne aithes be haulding vp of thair hands 1677 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 133.
He having meinit himselfe to the taxters the same wes remodified