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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.

(Walkar,) Waukar, Wauchtar, Watchar, n.¹ Also: waiker, wacar, watcher. [ME and e.m.E. wakiare (c1290), waker (Wyclif), watcher (1509).] One who watches, keeps watch, guards, a sentinel; one who watches out for or investigates (a person or thing).(a) 1455 Acts II 44/1 (see Walk v.¹ 6 p.p. (b)).
Waukaris 1566 Canongate Kirk S. (ed.) 42.
The examinatioun to begin afoir the commonioun … all commonicantis to cum and keip thair avin quarter … for gud exampell gevin wnto the waiker 1591 Burntisland B. Ct. 22 Oct.
Nominatis Williame Credo elder wisitor and wacar wpone the herbarie(b) 1533 Boece 54a.
Apoun the nycht, wachis … kepit the entres, and wauchtaris faleȝeit nocht apoun the day a1578 Pitsc. I 17/16.
Schortlie eftir, the watcharis and keiparis of the plaice dissawit in this maner scho causit [etc.] 1645 Dunferm. Kirk S. 15.
For watching of the landwart witches, … the watchers to begin at sex hours at evin … and this to begin at M^rstoun and so to get well throw so manie of the touns of that quarter till the nixt session day 1645 Dunferm. Kirk S. 16.
Watchers of the witche Margaret Donald five days and five nights, twa of them ey being on the watch at thair severall turns 1648 Dunferm. Kirk S. 27.
William Crichtoun … under ane ill report as a warlok … being … dealt with be the ministers and watchers