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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Weschar, Was(c)her, n. Also: wesche(a)r, weshair, veschear, -iar. [ME and e.m.E. waschere (c1325), wasscher (c1440), wassher (1450-1530), washer (1534), wascher (1609).] One whose occupation is washing: a. Clothes, linen, etc. b. Precious metals or ores in the process of extraction.a. 15… Aberd. B. Rec. MS (Jam. s.v. Veschiaris).
Veschiaris & ladinsteris 1550 Stirling Ant. III 247.
For the keeping of the weschars tubbis and to set thornis with vthir necessar plantatioun for the weschers and drying of the clathis 1573 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 4.
That … na wescharis wesche thair claythis on the burn that servis the toun 1586 Sc. Ant. VI 161.
Issobell Lowry, wascher 1594 Stirling Ant. III 248.
Veschears 1598 Household Bks. Jas. VI and Anne I 30 April.
For the wescheris hous maill in Striuiling wesching off the kitching naiprie [etc.] 1598 Household Bks. Jas. VI and Anne II 31 Aug.
To twa off hir majesties weshairis and ane of the fyirmen being at thair wadges in Halyruidhous 1603 Edinb. B. Rec. V 323.
In respect the infectioun of pestilence is lyke to incres … statutes … that na inhabitants … gif thair claythis to commoun weschers to be weschin 1662 Dumfries Council Min. MS 22 Feb.
Leaving ane footstile … along the water syde … withowt prejudice to the bleichers to bleich in places vsit & wont & washers to wash in lyk mannerb. 1515 Treas. Acc. V 20.
Johne Drane, Francheman, callit ane fynour, weschear and meltar of gold for to pas to Craufurd Mure, to haif consideratioun of his laubouris 1608 Hilderstoun Silver Mines I 4b.
Waschers with the seiff