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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.

Overta, v. Also: ovir-, ower-. P.p. -tane, -taine, -tayne. [Later Sc. var. of Ourta: cf. north. ME. p.p. over-tan(e (Cursor M.), -taine (Cursor M.), -tayn (c 1400). Cf. also Overtak.]

1. tr. To catch up with, overtake in pursuit. (c 1580) Alex. ii. 9161.
He slew all that he micht ouerta a1500 Henr. Fab. 2529 (H).
The wolf … schupe him for to rin … He dred his lyfe and he ouertane had bene 1513 Doug. ix. ix. 76 (Ruddim.).
Ouirtane 15.. Clar. v. 1140.
Ouertaine 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2114.
All kind of folk that this bair micht ouirta Without mercie he did deuoir and sla

2. a. To take or catch (a person) in the commission of an offence. Passing into: b. passive. To be convicted (of an offence). ? 1487–8 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. II. 265.
Quhatsumeuir he be that may be owertayne castand ony maner of sic stufe in the said heavin … it sall be lefull to the watter baillie to raise ane vnlaw of a mark of that persoun 1494 (c 1580) Ib. I. 68.
Quha swa beis owertane nocht haveand the said geir sall pay [etc.] 1500 Ib. 81.
Gif ony personis of the saidis craftis beis ouertane wyrkand with cardis notit or previt apone him he sall pay [etc.]

c. To come upon and seize, to arrest (goods contravening some order); in passive. 1506 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I. 111.
That thairfor nane of our nichtbouris … to pas to Leyth to by ony malt … vnder the payne the first falt of ane vnlaw of viij s. and thairafter escheitt of the malt als oft as it may be owertayne and gottin swa brekand this statute but favouris

3. To set about, to contrive to do something. a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1154 (Ch.).
Better had bene be tyme I had ouertane To preif my freind quhen mister had I nane

4. passive. To be overcome with drink, to be drunk. 1642 Dundonald Par. Rec. 505.
David Wallace … and John Conynghame … was overtane with drink