A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1385, 1547-1626
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Demstar(e, -ster, n. Also irregular variant: damster. [Variant of Demestar.] = Dempstar(e.(a) 1385 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. 410/2.
Throw the moutht of Robert Louranson than demstare of oure lord the Kingis curt, … it was giffyn for dome that [etc.] 1547–8 Treasurer's Accounts IX. 161.
To ane pure man callit Bonar, demstar in ane Iustice Courte 1572-5 Diurnal of Occurrents 117.
The provest and tua of the bailȝies … held ane court … and creatit baillies, serjantis, clerkis, and demstaris c 1600 Misc. Spald. C. II. 42.
Iohne Freser, demster in Aberden 1622-6 Bisset I. 293/30.
The membris of courte, that is to say the schiref or his deputtis that standis for serjand and the clerk, and the demstare(b) 1558 Inverness B. Rec. I. 25.
Thom Morison wes creat and sworne damster of curt 1581 Lanark B. Rec. 83.
Dom gevin thairupoun be Rowe Muir, damster 1590 Ib. 96.
Dom gevin thairon be Jhon Watson, damster of the curt
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"Demstar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 11 Jul 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/demstare>
