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

Unlade, v. Also: unload(e, onlaide. [ME and e.m.E. vnlade (Trevisa), vnlode (1523); Lade v.] tr.

1. a. To unload (a ship) (of its cargo). = Onlodin v. b. To relieve (another) (of a load).a. 1614 Bruces of Airth App. xlix.
Unlade such ships of such coal as often as they shall arriveb. 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 508.
[Bees] Vnloade their mat's and drowsie dron's do kill

2. To unload; remove (something) (from a ship or container). b. Of a ship: To discharge (cargo). c. fig. Of a woman: To give birth.(a) 1674 Cunningham Diary 2.
I opened the girnell … and 4 bolls of Macolme Patiesoun's was unladed(b) 1632 Acts V 242/2.
To onlaide and putt the same [fish] vpon landb. 1666 Glasgow Chart. II 92.
Boats loading and unloading horse kyne [etc.] 1668 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 355.
The said toune … being sex myles distant from any place quhair any veshell can unload her loadningc. 1682 Livingstone Patronus Redux 53.
May his sweet mate, thus water'd, pregnant grow, And landed safe, her masculine fraught unlade