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 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Brigand, Brigane, n. Also: brigg-, brygand, breigand; briggan(e, -en. [e.m.E. brig-, brygand, ME. bregaunde (c 1400), OF. brigand. See also Brigant.] One addicted to robbery and violence; a pirate or freebooter; a common thief or vagabond.(a) c1475 Wall. x. 851.
The brygandis than thai bykerit wondyr fast, Amang the Scottis with schot and gownnys cast a1568 Wedderburn Bann. MS. 240 a/46.
Than the briggandis pretendit haistallie To spulȝe thame of thair virginitie a1578 Pitsc. I. 146/11.
About this tyme thair was appriehendit … for ane abominable and cruell abuse ane breigand quho hanted … in ane place of Angus 1595 Duncan Appendix.
Praedo, latro, a limmer, briggandattrib. a1578 Pitsc. I. 48/25.
Ane brigand theif of Atholl(b) a1508 Kennedy Flyting 334.
Do thou nocht thus, brigane, thou salbe brynt 1561 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 338.
Robert Jak … quha wes convickit … as ane briggan and ane commound nychtvakar a1578 Pitsc. I. 15/13.
He vas estemed the grettest man of renowne and fame that was the grettest briggane, theiff, or murtherar Ib. 145 (heading).
Of ane gret tyraine and brigane that was apprehendit and taine in Angus 1593 Reg. Privy C. V. 79.
When they sall see professouris of the law to begin to ly at await as briganis for innocent menis lyves 1603 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II. 25.
Ye … are indytit for commoune theiffis & briganes 1609 Ellon Presb. 89.
Calling his wyif witch, and brigganis and lymaris 1617 Ib. 101.
Twa abill men to be chosen for putting ydill briggens out of the paroche