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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Peddar, -er, n. Also: -ir; peder. [ME. peoddare (Ancr. R.), pedder (c 1380), -are (c 1440), peder (15th c.), a pedlar, also a maker of panniers (once, Prompt. Parv.), appar. f. ME. (East Anglian) ped (1390–91) a pannier. Cf. Pether n., Pedler n.] A pedlar, packman, petty trader. Also comb. and possess.In the quot. for 1554, ? = purser. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2070 (Ch.).
Thair sall na pedder for purs nor ȝit for gluifis … pyke ȝour pellet fra me a1500 Prestis of Peblis 188 (A).
At the last of mony smallis couth mak This bony pedder a gud fut pak c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 302.
Syne maryit I a marchand myghti of gudis … And quhilum I put furth my voce et pedder him callit 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 55.
The pyrat pressys to peill the peddar [v.r. -ir] hys pak 1554 Treas. Acc. X. 233.
For the marynaris wagis … the pedder iiij li., the clerk iiij li. a 1568 Sempill Sat. P. xlvi. 33.
Na pedderis pak scho will ressaif 1569 Reg. Privy C. II. 70.
David Schaw callit the pedder 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Pedepulverosus.
Ane pedder is called an marchand or creamer quha bearis ane pack or creame vpon his back 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 172/2.
In youre raiment [not] … ouer base lyke a miserabill pedder 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. (Latin) ii. 103 b. 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Sheriff Ct. (MS. 8 b) in Misc. Maitl. C. II. 162.
All pedderis, chapmen or buyeris of hydis 1694 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1938) 41.Comb. a1568 Pedder C. Title.
Ane discriptioun of peder coffeis Ib. 3.
This … genolagie Off pedder knavis superlatyve Ib. 51.
That pedder brybour