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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.

Outschut(e, v. Also: -shute, -shoot, (-schate). P.t. and p.p. -s(c)hot. [e.m.E. outshoote (1545), p.t. -shote (1530), to surpass (another) in shooting, to shoot beyond (the mark).]

1. tr. To shoot or thrust (something) out or forth. a1500 K. Hart 91.
Richt as the rose vpspringis fro the rute, … Nor waindis nocht the levis to outschut For schyning of the sone

2. In fig. applications. a. reflex. To ‘overshoot’ or overreach oneself, to go too far in some course of action. 1586–7 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 166.
We heare he vantis, being sory in gude faith that he or any Scottisman sould outshute himselff sa farre in a mater quhilk [etc.] 1612 Stirlings of Keir 480.
His father hes sumquhat outschot him self in misgoverning his rent a1658 Durham Subtile Self .
Take heed, that in prosecuting this end, ye out-shoot not your selves, that ye go not beyond your line, and that ye move not without your own sphear

b. To overreach, get the better of, outdo, circumvent (another) . c 1580 James VI in Red Bk. Grandtully II. 131.
Giff any that luiffes nather me nor ȝou weill vald think to outschate me in this requeist, I hoip ȝe will preferr ȝour freindis to ȝour fois 1622 Bentinck Dornoch 195.
[Sir Alexander Gordon … gives expression … to his indignation at the possibility that the Earl] suld be outschot be his awin wassall

c. To outschute (another) in his own bow, to get the better of another by means of his own instruments, to hoist with his own petard. a1658 Durham Scandal (1740) 144.
The Devil reproacheth ordinances and the Word … by turning them to the quite contrary end, as if he would out-shoot the Lord in his own bow … and invert his own means, and turn his own weapons on him 1676 Lauder Notices Affairs I. 115.
By this they outshot Sir Androw in his oune bow