Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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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.

Ost, Oist, n.² Also: oyst, oast, oest. [ME. and e.m.E. ost(e (c 1290), oost(e (Wyclif), oast (1580), OF. oste. Cf. Host n.³]

A host; also, a hostess.(1) c1475 Wall. xi. 508.
Craufurd, thar oyst a1500 Bk. Chess 1785.
A blyth vult … A famous oist suld mak attour all thing 1604-31 Craig ii. 164.
I am thy oast, and thou shalt be my guest a1651 Calderwood V. 37.
Without Huntlie, his oast, who invited him(2) 1375 Barb. iv. 635 (E).
His ost [C. hostes] come rycht till him thar and … scho [etc.]

b. The landlord of an inn or boarding-house.(1) 1424 Acts Jas. I 85.
That quhat strangere that sellis guddis in the landis … salhaf witnesing of his ost of his innis that [etc.] 1600-1610 Melvill 29.
My ost, Andro(b) a1500 Bk. Chess 1793.
The oistis man that suld the stabillis kepe 1549 Treas. Acc. IX. 317.
To the oist of thair logeing in Dysart c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1221. 15.. Clar. iv. 2319. 1577 Waus Corr. 152/3. 1618 Crim. Trials III. 589.
He only reveillit the matter to his oist in Oxfurd(c) 1581 Nugae Scoticae 36.
I heve nocht silver … to pay my oest thait I loige vithe(2) a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 635 (W).
Bot he that comptis without his oist [: boist] Oft tymes he comptis twise 1622 Melrose P. 470.