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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ruffian, n. Also: -yan, -ien, -ean; (ruffiar). [e.m.E. rufian (1531), also ruffin (1553), MF ruffien, rufian (late 14th c. and 1512 in Larousse), OProv. rofian, rufian, ult. f. OHG hruf scab. See also Ruffy n.²]

1. A debased person given to violence and evil living. a1500 Colk. Sow i 101.
A rebald a ruffian A murderer of leil men c1490 Porteous Noblenes 174/22 (Asl.).
Thai ar becummyn … of mair vyle condicioun than be dronkart or ruffien 1567 Sat. P. vii 51.
To se the quene … Reft lyke ane huire with ruffians shamefullie 1570 Ib. xviii 39.
Lat neuer thai ruffians within ȝour rowmis reill

2. A pimp or pander; one who associates with prostitutes; a brothel-keeper. 1533 Boece 185.
Athirco … with ane garde of ruffeanis [L. lenonibus] … passit his tyme a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. 51/60.
To satisfie ane flesch[l]e cumpanie Lyk ruffian I man me sumtyme bear Id. Ib. 57/67.
Now … hurdome haldin is ane prettie sport … And ruffiance now gettis best report 1587 Carmichael Etym. 40.
Ganeo, a ruffian or bordeler

b. ? A professional killer or rowdy. c. ? A ‘bully-boy’, known as such by his appearance and weapons (cf. e.m.E., in this sense, 1560); ? a more general term of reprobation.In some cases, perh. merely further instances of 1 above. 1546 Lynd. Trag. Card. 377.
Off Rome rakaris nor of rude ruffianis, Off calsay paikaris nor of publycanis a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 37/16.
Kirkmen cled lyk men of weir … Lyk ruffyanis [Maitl. Q. 15/16 ruffiaris] is thair array 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi in 1563-72 Tracts 72.
That quhilk aucht to mantene the ministerie of the kirk and the pure is geuin to prophane men, flattereris in court, ruffianes and hyrelingis 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 60.
Then to remane in court amang ruffianis wappinis with greit perrell of his lyfe Ib. 73.
Ȝe that allurit and assembilit ruffianis to his slauchter, and theifis to his spoyle