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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.

Bosting, Boisting, vbl. sb. Also: bostyne, -eng; boasting. [ME. bosting (Wyclif), f. Bost v.]

1. Threatening, menacing.(a) 1528 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) Scott v. Seytoun
The wranguis and maisterfull manissing and bosting … of him 1545 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 220.
John Tulidef is conuikit … for mannesing, bosting and inuading of thame 1550 Elgin Rec. I. 101.
Thomas Russell is cum … in jugement … for the bostyne to cut her lovg the said tyme 1587 Acts III. 460/2.
Lieges … accuisit of tressoun be solisting bosting and minassing of the assyis 1596 Dalr. II. 242/11.
Thair with bosteng [L. minis] … Macleud … is brocht to craue the kingis mercie 1600-1610 Melvill 68.
He braks out in coler and bosting Ib. 125.
Ther was na thing bot … bosting with batoning(b) 1535 Stewart 48577.
Tha schupe nocht for to flie, For all thair brag, thair boisting and thair schoir 1561 Inverness B. Rec. I. 71.
The said Arthour is adjugit in admerciament for … boysting of him 1567 Sat. P. vi. 58.
Ȝe neid not for till feir The boisting of ȝour ennemeis without 1574 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 21.
In manassing and boisting of thame with ane knyf 1593 Acts IV. 45/1.
Be boisting, minassing, dinging and misvsing of sum of the honnest men 1630 Stirling B. Rec. I. 164.
The complent … aganes James Houstoun … for boisting & dischairging of James Henrye(c) 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 66.
After long boasting and minassing of me 1630 Elgin Rec. II. 214.
To present his son for boasting of the beddell of the kirk

2. Boasting, vaunting. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 54/27.
With grete boisting of the victorie to him