Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1705-1710, 1827-1961
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POUSTIE, n. Also pouste; conflated forms pousture, -er, puster, pooster (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 177, 1908 Jak. (1928), ouster [sic]), postour, prob. by confusion with Pouster, n., q.v. See also Liege-Poustie. Power, strength, force, dominion, control (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis, pouste); a “force”, a body of people, a posse.Sc. 1705 Seafield Corresp. (S.H.S.) 399:
Were I in my wonted and leidge postour.n.Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis s.v. pouste:
They say that one has lost the pousture of his side or arm when he has lost the use of them.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 147:
Her weary knicht's ilk limb and lith Gat tenfauld poustie, powr and pith.Sh. 1836 Gentleman's Mag. II. 589:
Da kretar kud na hae ne pooster ta muv neddir da te weigh or da tidder.Abd. 1836 J. Grant Tales 61:
Charlie was rather oot o's leige pousture that nicht.Abd. 1877 G. MacDonald M. of Lossie II. xvii.:
But say 'at ye like, I s' uphaud Ma'colm again' the haill poustie o' ye.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Der'r nae puster in him.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 196:
Something cam . . . and “took a' the fushion frae her tongue and a' the poustie frae her arm”.Sh. 1961 New Shetlander No. 56. 25:
Dey wir never muckle pooster wi him.
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"Poustie n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/poustie>
