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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.

Schipman, n. Also: schyp-, schipe-, schype-, schep-, chep-. Pl. also -menne, schepes manes. [ME and e.m.E. sipman (c1275), shipman (1377), schyppman (Trevisa), shep-man (c1485), OE scipman; S(c)hip n. and Man n.] A seaman, mariner, sailor; an ordinary seaman.Also proverb.(1) 1375 Barb. xvi 566.
The schipmen … said amang thaim all that thai Wald nocht let for thaim land to ta 1425 Acts II 11/1.
Gif ony schipman of Scotlande pas with lettres of the kingis deputis in to Yrlande [etc.] ?14.. Ship Laws c. 6 (A).
Schipmen hiris thaim with thar maisteris Ib. c. 8 (B).
The maystyr hyris his men to hald thaim in pese … gyf the schipman strykys his mayster fryst he aw to tyne ane c s[hillings] or his nefe at the maystrys wyl Ib. c. 15 (A).
& be nocht the master als gud schip man as thai that ar thar in [etc.] Ib. c. 16 (B).
The maystyr aw for to say to the tuthyr schipmen, "Falows [etc.]" Ib. c. 17.
Schypmen 14.. Acts I 25/2.
Of stryff muffyt betuix schipmen in burgh 1456 Hay I 113/7, 11.
Thare is in bataill thre maneris of folk, that is to say, hors men, fut men, and schip men. … all gude constable suld put … the schip men efter the place and the situacioun of the toun 1466 Acts II 87/1.
That the master of the schip sal fynd sufficiand stermane tymmerman & schipmen conuenient for the schip c1475 Wall. xi 327.
He … viij schipmen feit, and gudly wage thaim gaiff a1500 Colk. Sow i 92.
A schipman … That takis lyfe & gud on hand And knawis nowther cours nor tyd … Practing no thing expert In cunnyng cumpas nor kert 1495 Halyb. 198.
At his partyne gyff to a schipman of the Fer 18 s. 1513 Doug. vii Prol. 28.
Rany Oryon with his stormy face Bewavit oft the schipman by hys race Ib. viii Prol. 61.
The schipman schrenkis the schour and settis to schor 1538 Treas. Acc. VI 407.
For proclamatioun making till all marinaris and schipmenne to compere in Leith … and resaif thair wagis 1540 Lynd. Sat. 616.
Was nevir sene … of schipmen sic clittir clatter. Sum bad haill; sum bad stand by 1551 Hamilton Cat. 51.
Certane schipmen or marinars will nocht begin to sail on the Satterday 1624 Fraserburgh Kirk S. II 5 Dec.
Delait for brak of Sabboith in perturbing certain schipmen … quhen thay war going furth out off the herberie(b) c1420 Wynt. vii 804.
And schype-men … full fyfty, And off thai schyppys mastrys thre Happenyd at anys to drownyd be(c) a1400 Leg. S. xvi 475.
Schepmen ?14.. Ship Laws c. 26 (B).
Chance cummys that he [sc. a ship] may nocht eschew castyng of gudes thai aw to schaw to the chepmen the perel and the chepmen aucht to say thair entente to the maystyr and aw to grante to the castyng — 1641-8 Skipper's Acc. (Smettone) 18.
For the shepes manes wadges 24 li.(2) 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I 397.
That the Inglis schipe … be kepit be the merchandis and schipemen of the said schipe under sourtie 1511 Treas. Acc. IV 312.
To the schipmen of the quenis schip, quhen the quene salit in hir(3) 1474 Treas. Acc. I 72.
Jok Walter schipman 1497 Prot. Bk. J. Young 202.
Johnne Bully, schipman [L. nauta] in Leith 1513 Treas. Acc. IV 414.
Ane Franche man … callit Perot Babyn schipmanproverb. 1581 Burne Disput. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. 124/31.
He quha maid you goldsmithis … maid lykuyse souters schipmen a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1574.
The devill made sowters schipmen, could neither steil [? for steir] nor row

b. attrib. or possess.Schipmenis breiks, shipmen's wide trousers; fig., a statement that will displease no one.(1) c1475 Wall. ix 127.
Thow can sumpart off schipman fair 1513 Doug. iii iii 101.
Palynurus … For al his cunnyng of schip man craft and cart Amyd the sey forȝet the richt way(2) 1489 Treas. Acc. I 125.
For … schipmennis feyis(3) fig. 1562-3 Winȝet I 52/19.
Forgeing thair sermonis for the plesuir of euery auditour, efter the fassoun of schipmenis breiks, mete for euery leg