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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.

Pestell, n. Also: -ele, -al(l, -ill, -oll; pistoll, -ole, -ell, -ow; pastell; Pester. [ME. and e.m.E. pestel (Wyclif), -elle (15th c.), -ill, -le (16th c.) a pestle (1382), shank (1326), mechanical pounder (1604) in a fulling-mill (1727–41), OF. pestel, -eil; med. L. pestillum, L. pistillum, -us pounder, pestle, dim. of *pistrum f. pinsere to pound.] A pestle.For further examples, see Mortar n.¹ c 1350 Reg. Episc. Morav. 367.]
[Unum mortarium cum pestello(a) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 109 (B).
The ayre sal hafe … the mortar the pestal [A. a pestell; Acts pestall] [etc.] 1522 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 209. 1529 Reg. Great S. 178/1.
Pestell [v.r. -ele] 1542 Acts & Decr. I. 141.
Ane mortell of bras with pestell price vj merkis 1565–6 Prot. Bk. Thomas Johnsoun 97.
1 brasin mortor 1 pestill 1566 Inv. Wardrobe 173.
With thre mortaris, nyne pestellis wanting the kapis of brace 1580 Coll. Aberd. & B. 391.
Pestollis 1630 Bamff Chart. 222.
The pestoll of brass(b) 1598 Black Bk. Taymouth 331.
Off pistellis and mortaris 1635 Haddington Corr. 303.
Pistole 1663 Edinb. Test. LXXI. 148 b.
Pistoll ? 1666 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 8.
Pistoll 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 361.
A marbell morter with a timber pistoll(c) 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 134 b.
Ane pastell(d) 1648 Linlithgow Palace 332.
Ane pistow & ane mortar