Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Erb(e, n. Also: erbb-, eirb. [ME. erbe (Chaucer), OF. erbe; var. of Herb(e.] A herb. a1400 Leg. S. xl. 396.
In the ȝarde is nane erbe grene c1420 Wynt. i. 110.
Off arbuste, erbys, … buskis, bankkis, and of bewys c1475 Wall. iii. 3.
Baith erbe and froyte, busk and bewis 1500 Prestwick B. Rec. 36.
That he … distroyit all the fre menis ȝardis, in caile, erbis & all vthir thair gudis c1500 Rowll Cursing 22.
Blak be thair hour … That brak his ȝaird … And raif his erbis vp be the rute 1549 Compl. 144/35.
There maist delegat refectione was … green frutis, rutis & eirbis 1569 Edinb. Test. I. 15.
To Williame Aitkyn for erbbis and vnȝeonis