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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Poket, -at, Pocket, n. Also: polk-, po(c)qu-, pokqu-, poc- and -ett, -eit, -eat, -ate, -it, -ed. [ME and e.m.E. poket (c 1340), -ete, -it, pocket(t (c 1430) a bag, also a pouch (c 1400), AN pokete (13th c. in Godef.; mod. Norman dial. pouquette), dimin. of ONF poke, poque, pouque = F. poche (dimin. pochette) Pouch(e n.]

1. A bag or small sack.In the first quot. ? as a definite measure of quantity: cf. Poke n. 1.(1) 14.. Acts I 305/2.
Of a pokat of alom at the furth passyng twa peniis(2) 1454 Invent. in Dundee B. Ct. MS I 3.
A chalys of siluer … and … a spune of siluer with a pokate of lynnyng claith 1520 Perth Hammermen 12.
Item for v quarteris of lyning claith to be ane pokeit to the chellis 1520–1 Dundee B. Ct. I fol. 11 b (6 Jan.).
Quharfor the said Mechell present erd & stane in a pokat in diffalt of payment of the said annuall 1540 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 222.
Grantis that he tuk mony in ane pokat fra Maister Thomas Mairiorebankis and put it upone to his bousom 1560–1 Mylne Master Masons 56.
Pocket a1651 Calderwood VII 488.
The commission was caried before the Grand Commissioner in a velvet pocket

2. A pouch worn on the person, chiefly or only one inserted in or attached to a garment; a pocket. 1611 Mar & Kellie MSS. 67.
Jenes fuschian to line the dublet and pockets to the hose 1614 1st Rep. Hist. MSS. 135.
For polkets 1615 Crim. Trials III 305.
Depones that the Earle patt this memoriall in his pocquett 1618 Dunbar Social Life II 23.
This mad fellow did put his hand in his poquet … .I thoght I had broght in my pokquet the key of theas doors 1626 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. I 676.
Thair is many that beiris pestolatis in thair pocattis and behind thair bakis 1627 Bk. Carlaverock II 85.
Ane warrand … quhilk the provest said to him he had in his poked 1696 Old Ross-shire I 89.
[They] putt money in his poceat of a design to make him shouldier 1696 Edinb. Test. LXXX 202.
In his pokit when he died twa Jacobuses of gold

b. transf. Money for miscellaneous or casual expenses, purse-money, pocket-money: cf. pocket-money(s) in d below. 1662 Haigs of Bemersyde 473.
Given … to learn him the tylor trad 03, 00, 00; item, to keep his pokit 00, 05, 00 1700 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 266.
For 6 monthes boord and poket, £113 1 0

c. To keep (a matter) in one's poket, to keep to oneself, conceal. Cf. Eng. put in one's pocket, id. (1652). — 1666 Laing MSS. I 351.
If it war to preserve hir honour, hee did well; bot when it was lost hee shuld heve keept his horns in his poket

d. comb. and attrib.: Of or for the pocket; as carried in the pocket.Pocket-money(s), money carried on one's person; money for miscellaneous expenses: cf. b above.(1) 1609 Grahame Anat. Hum. 9.
The dambd crew … becomes pocket-sersers and purs-pykers(2) 1632 Lithgow Trav. viii 345.
We were both robbed of our cloaks and pocket-moneys 1700 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 266.
For boord and poket mony £194. 0. 0(3) 1648 Thanes of Cawdor 307.
12 stand of pocket napkin knaps 1661 Edinb. Test. LXX 58 b.
Ane pocket watch and ane table knok 1664 Household Bks. Archb. Sharp in Misc. Maitl. C. II 513.
For a pocket inkhorne 1666 Ib. 540.
For 2 pocket Bibillis 1695 Foulis Acc. Bk. 184.
A pair pockit pistolls(4) 1681 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 23 April.
Pocket naills