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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.

Soddis, n. pl. Also: -es, sod(d)s. [Appar. the same word as ME sod a sod, turf, divot (c1420) but in this sense only Sc. and later north. Eng. dial.]There is no evidence to support OED's conjecture that ‘two pieces of turf’ were used as ‘a substitute for a saddle or pack saddle.’

An inferior kind of riding-saddle or a type of pack-saddle made by stuffing bags of cloth or the like with straw. Also a pair of soddis. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 332/40.
Thai that had gude hors and geir Hes skantlie now ane crukit meir And for thair sadillis thai haue soddis 1571–2 Canongate Ct. Bk. 354.
Ane furneist plewch … ane pair soddis ane meilstand 1605 Reg. Privy C. VII 744.
That they shall not presume to ryde upon any saddle, but onely upon soddes 1618 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 89.
Beir strae to stop the led saiddillis and soddis with 1642 Nicolson Diurnals Cockburnspath Acc.
Ane pair of sods ane pare of sauks [for each soldier] 1651 Aberd. Council Lett. III 188.
12 baggage horses with seckis and soddis 1680 Fawside Coal Compt 62.
For tuo pair of sods, 18 s. 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) i 17.
He had a lady Del to Bose, Who never budged from his side, Upon a pair of sodds astride 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1751) 114.
Sodds for saddle, and branks for bridle 1689 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 530.
Baggadg horsses … suficiently furnished and graithed with sodds, ane sack [etc.] a1700 Mare of Colinton 570.
My turs-raips, curpel and my sods 1707 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 20.
For a pair sods to Docter St. Clairs lady