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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.

Clenger, Cleinger, Cleanger, n. Also: cleynger, clinger. [Clenge v. Cf. Clengeour.]

1. A cleanser of infected persons or places; a disinfecter.(a) 1545 Soc. Ant. II. 395.
That na man of the said personis cum within the town unto the tyme thai be sufficientlie clengit and proven be the principal clenger 1586 St. A. Test. II. 65.
To Dauid Diksoun clenger for burying of the said Ihon his wyfe and bairnis 1587 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 506.
The said thesaurer … to mak the lugeis for the fowle clengeris, buriers and pvre 1597 Ib. V. 200.
The woman clenger in Leyth, callit Lang Meg, is convict for conceilling of the pest 1606 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 54.
Sum help and support to the inhabitantis of the said parochin to help to pay thair clengeris 1647 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 125.
That the baillees aggree with the clengeris … to pay for quhat sall be aggreit for clenging of thair houssis(b) 1556–7 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 203.
Thomas Hammill, cleinger of the seik folks in tyme of pest 1606 Glasg. Test. V. 32.
Iames Greinleyis, cleinger of the pest within the burgh 1616–7 Ayr Common Good Acc. MS.
James Dowele, the townis appointed clinger 1646 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 98.
The soume of fyftie four pund … debursit be him to the cleyngeris(c) 1617–8 Misc. Spald. C. V. 140.
Given to Walter Findlasoune, pest cleanger, for his support 1645 S. Leith Rec. 56.
The Bailies ordanit … to provyd 6 cleangers and present them before our meitting 1648 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 90.
Wm Gray and John Hay, cleangers

2. A cleaner for a gun. 1541 Treas. Acc. VII. 499.
Iohnne Bikcartoun, … culveryngmaker, … making of vices, vice nalis, and clengeris to ane parte thairof [sc. culverings]