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.

Brigant, n. Also: briggant, brygant. [e.m.E. brigant, ME. brig-, brygaunt, var. of brigaund Brigand.] A robber or ruffian. Also attrib. 1490 Irland Mir. fol. 219 b.
Sone eftir the euill murderaris and briggantis tuk thame and put thame to deid c1500 Fyve Bestes 9.
So has this waye tham to the brigantis brocht 1533 Bell. Livy I. 19/13.
Ane buschement of brigantes lay in wate, with grete haterent aganis Romulus and Remus 1553 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 152.
Quhare now be tyrannie and avarice … as it wer thevis, or brygantis, we creip in at wyndois or bak durris c1575 Balfour Pract. 196.
And it happin the samin wad to be stollin be theivis, robberis or brigantis Ib. 587.
Gif thair be ony brigantis within the burgh 1592 Calderwood V. 176.
His Majestie's … barbarous, brigant, and bryberous chamber a1578 Pitsc. (1814) II. 314.
The earle of Angus … caused the king … punisch theives and briggantis