Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Approche, v. Also: ap(p)roch, approtche. [ME. aprochi, aprochen (early 14th c.), approche, OF. aprochier.]

1. intr. To advance nearer, come near, in space.1375 Barb. xi. 512 (The Ynglis men com with thair battalis approchand). ?1438 Alex. i. 2238 (with that approchit the gret battaill). c1450-2 Howlat 306 (quhill thai approche to the Pape). 1490 Irland Mir. I. 152/9 (the flud of syn mycht na way approche to hir). 1513 Doug. iii. v. 124 (neir he approchit). 1533 Bell. Livy I. 38/18 (this outrage was sa nere approcheand to the wallis). 1569 Reg. Privy C. II. 38 (thai approchit be the space of ane pair of buttis). c1590 J. Stewart 35/175 (cause tham approtche vith speid). 1615 Highland P. III. 216 (he persavis ane boit approtcheing).

2. To draw near or nearer, in respect of time or occurrence.1456 Hay II. 149/30 (quhen the destructioun approachis nere). 1494 Acta Conc. 377/1 (the Iustice are of Elgin nixt approchand). c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxi. 34 (grit wer and wandrecht ȝit approchis). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 72/25 (now the hour approches wonder neir). 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 21 (seing the calamitie sa neir approcheand). 1623 Melrose P. 531 (whereas the tyme now approtcheis).

3. tr. To draw near to.1492 Misc. Bann. C. II. 128 (it is deid to approche thame). 1513 Doug. vii. Prol. 6 (so neir approchit he his wyntir stage). c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 857 (as it did approch the nicht).