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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Traffi(c)que, Tref(f)ect, v. Also: traffict, -i(c)k, -ickqu(e, -e(c)que, -ecq, -ect, -e(c)k, -eique, -eic, trauffique, trafique, -ik, -eque, traphick, treffeck, trefek, trifficque; (traffiger, traffey). [e.m.E. trafique (1542), trafek (1547), trafike (1555), traffick (1585), traffique (1597), F. traf(f)iquer.]

1. To trade, to buy and sell goods, freq. overseas, to engage in commerce. b. tr.pres. 1555 Conv. Burghs I 11 marg.
Traffeiquing 1560 Reg. Privy S. MS XXX 50b.
That … na vthir officiar except the maister of the cunȝe traffique … in matteris of gold or siluer 1564 Warrender P. (SHS) I 37.
The subjectis of this realme mercheantis trafficqueing in the eist seis a1568 Scott i 173.
Trafique 1574 Conv. Burghs I 33.
Trafique 1575–6 Conv. Burghs I 43.
Traffecquis 1576 Orkney Oppress. 38.
The Duchemen will not giff ane ȝopindaill bot for thre gudlingis wourth of wairis … quhilk is the occasioune that bayth kirkmen, merchandis and vtheris traffeicand in the cuntrie will ressave the said ȝopindaillis 1579–80 Conv. Burghs I 105.
Traffecq 1592–3 James VI in Cal. Sc. P. XI 36.
Williame Scot … of Kirkcaldy, traffiqueing for certane merchandis of Londoun 1597 Aberd. Council Lett. I 68.
Traffequis 1600 Conv. Burghs II 81.
That na brugh elect … ony persoun to be thair deyne of gild without he be ane merchant traffickquand and habill to discus vpoun merchand billis 1615 Misc. Maitl. C. II 184.
Idle persones quha … gives themselffis to traffik and play the merchand 1618 Aberd. Council Lett. I 155.
The complaint of the burgh of Dunbarton contrare Renfrew for suffering of certane outlands burgesses to tred and traffique 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 4.
Good harbours for the ships that doe traffique in that cuntrey 1631 Stirling's Royal Lett. II 527.
To trade and traffique … with ther schips, menboatts, and merchandice … about these parts of America a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 310.
Traffecking 1692 Misc. B. Rec. 132.
This place is soe redactit as not able to traffecque in the least(b) 1555 Conv. Burghs I 11.
That na fremen … ressaif ony geir to trauffique thairwith, fra ony vnfremen(c) 1607 Dundee B. Laws 413.
That na servand … sall handill or traffiger with ony mercheandice belanging to the craft(d) 1616 Stirling's Royal Lett. I 10.
The Scottismen merchands traffeying in Pollandp.t. 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 220.
His servandis … in his name haif saillit and trafficquit with marchandice and sauld and bocht gudis in all fre burghis of this realme(b) 1624 Perth Kirk S. MS 15 Jan.
The pairttis quhair he treffectitp.p. 1647 Elgin Rec. I 283.
Traffecters beyond Spey. It is appoyntit that theis that hes traffected besouth Spey … be cited and punischedb. 1612 Conv. Burghs II 355.
The liberteis belangand to ane burges … quha is not of the merchand gilderie, and with quhat kynd of wairs they may treffeck

2. To have dealings (with a person), to meet, be in touch with; to negotiate, bargain, scheme (to do, for something). b. tr. To negotiate (a matter). 1549 Lamb Resonyng 171/16.
We thre at that tyme will traffict in Ingland 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 569.
Williame Bischop of Dunblane having … transgressit [etc.] … as alswa passing furth of this cuntre without licence nocht declarand the maner how he maid his finance and trafficquand with the Papis Nunce and utheris his ministeris 1568 Misc. Bann. C. I 44.
I heir say my Lord of Mortone is trafficquen to get the house of the Bass 1569 Reg. Privy C. XIV 33.
The … quhispering … of the said secretaris … enymeis as that he haid trafficquit for the overthraw of the Kingis estait 1590 Crim. Trials I ii 208.
Quhair as thou trefekit with vmquhile Barbara Keand 1592–3 15th Rep. Hist. MSS App. ix 35.
[That neither they nor their friends] sall trafficque, assuir or agrie [with Sir James Douglas … without … consent of the other party] 1594 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 830.
That none sould presume to traffique or speake in favour of the saids excommunicats 1596 Anal. Scot. I 298.
That he sal nocht trafik with forieners, without his majesties licence 1596 Warrender P. (SHS) II 301.
Traffekit 1603 Moysie 35.
Certane personis … that trafficked with Ingleische nobilety conspyred aganis the kingis father, and persuaiding the Ingleische nobeletie to leviat ten thovsand men to be brocht vpone the fronteiris 1606 Stewart Mem. 119.
That … nane of thame sall hant trefect nor deall with John nor Alexander Stewart 1639 Dunkeld Presb. I 376.
The sessione not knowing what calling strangers fra wther nationes … can have to traffick so, to convein people over whome they have no chairge 1659 A. Hay Diary 42.
Thes that trafeque for our reconciliatioun(b) 1572 Bann. Memor. 244.
All the subjectis of our realme … may frielie trifficque [Diurn. Occurr. 309, traphick], hant, speik and converse together … vntrubledb. a1649 Drummond Hist. Scot. (1655) 28.
He trafficked the return of King James a1649 Drummond Hist. Scot. (1655) 207.
Whilst they traffique this marriage many false accusations … are intended … at the court