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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.

Cokalane, Cokaland, n. Also: cockalan(e, -land, coquilan. [F. coq-à-l'âne.]

1. A lampoon or satire. 1596 Moysie p. xvii.
I deliverit the copy of the cockalane to his Majestie. … His Majestie is heichlie exasperat aganis the makares 1596 Reg. Privy C. V. 313.
Ane maist tressounable letter, in forme of a cokalane, craftelie divulgat be certane malicious, seditious and unquiet spiritis Ib.
The making, writting, and geving oute of the said infamous letter, callit the cokaland 1597 Elgin Rec. II. 47.
Coquilanis. — The eldarschipe findis thameselues juges competent to judge vpoun all makars of cokalanes in all poynts of thair sclanderous writtingis. … This for the makars of coquilanis 1605 Ayr Session Rec. 25 Feb.
Ony ryme or cokalane 1608 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 275.
The … counsele, being informit be the ministrie of cokalandis oft publist and set out in this toune be sum profane and insolent personis [etc.] Ib.
Quha evir heireftir sall happin to haif or find ony cokaland 1609 Acts IV. 436/1.
Thair pasquillis, libellis, rymis, cokalanis, commedies, … whereby thay slander … the people, estait, and countrey of England

2. A rambling or disconnected discourse. c 1650 Sir J. Wishard in Mem. Spottiswood (1811) 50 (J).
Excuse the rather cockaland then letter from him who carethe not howe disformall his penn's expression be