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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sleuthfulnes, Slouthfulness, n. Also: slewth-, slwith-, slought-, sloath- and -fullnes, -fulness(e. [e.m.E. slouthfulnes (1526), slothfulnesse (1555); Sleuthful(l adj.] Laziness, negligence, carelessness. c1475 Wall. i 3.
Our antecessowris … We lat ourslide throw werray sleuthfulnes 1520 Peebles Chart. 50.
Gyf it happynis … throuch neclegens, wantonnes, or slewthfulnes [etc.] 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 403.
That na thing … suld perische, throw negligence, or sleuthfulnes of this present age a1568 Bann. MS 41a/5.
Suffer me nocht throw slewthfulnes to slyd a1578 Pitsc. II 35/12.
Gif he wald tyne the haill realme of Scottland in ȝour sleuthfullnes, misgovernance and ewill consall 1582 Reg. Privy C. III 531.
The slewthfulnes usit be Johnne, Erll of Mortoun … in the executioun of his office 1602 Conv. Burghs II 136.
That na mariner, ather throw slwithfulnes or ony vther contempt refuis to pas to the schip a1628 Laurie Hist. Free Masonry (App. i) 435.
Throwch negligence and sleuthfulness the samyn has past furth of vse(b) 1626–8 Laurie Hist. Free Masonry (App. ii) 437.
Slouthfulness 1649 Elgin Rec. II 360.
The … elders gave him no gude report be reason of his sloughtfulnesse [etc.] 1676 Edinb. B. Rec. X 279.
The sloathfullnes and cairlesnes of the inhabitants in not sweping the lumes