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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.

Serch(e, n. Also: sherch, s(h)earch(e, schearse. [Late ME and e.m.E. serche (c1400), searche (1462), serse (1570), AF serche, sarche (14th c. in Godefroy); Serch(e v.]

1. An exploration or examination (of a place) with a view to finding a person or thing. 1636 Grant Chart. 229.
In the midtyme of all thir searcheis, … he is in dealling privatlie with certane men

b. Mak (a) serche (for someone). 1566 Anderson Collect. Mary I i 39.
That thai … mak diligent serche, that the said James eschew not, nor pas be schipis furth of thair havynnis 1615 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 297.
To mak schearse for any of the rebels 1660 Honours Scotl. 114.
Nather was there any sherch maid by the English

2. An examination of a person, or of his goods, etc. 1527 Douglas Corr. 120.
Licence … to sell the saidis vitallis to the said Alexander … and … to fure the samyne in this realme without serch or arreist 1591 Newes from Scotland in Crim. Trials I ii 215.
They … made diligent search about her, and found the enemies marke to be in her fore crag

b. Examination or scrutiny of a document. 1648 Moray Synod 94.
The presbytery of Strathboggie appoynted to … mak narrow search of the same [report]

3. The process of ascertaining another's attitudes or opinions by questioning. 1648 Rutherford in Fife Synod 162.
Wee did enter vpoun ane vnpartiall shearch and tryall of all these of our owne province that wer present