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.

Farcy, Farsy, n. Also: farsé, fercie, -sie, fearcie, -sy. [Late ME. farsy (1481–90), e.m.E. farcy(e, farcie, earlier farsyn, F. farcin.] The farcy in horses. Also attrib. = farcied. (See also Fairsie.) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 114.
He feppillis like a farcy [M. farsy] aver, that flyrit on a gillot 1524 Alloway Barony Ct. MS. 16 June.
He allegit the said meir deit of the farse 1558-66 Knox III. 65.
Oure horse [suld not tak] the spavin or fersie 1563-72 Ferg. Tracts 31.
Seicke swine and fearsy horses a1605 Montg. Flyt. 314 (H).
The feaveirs, the fercie [v.r. fearcie], with the Spenȝie flies