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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Obumbrat, p.p. and v. Also: -ate, obombrat. [e.m.E. obumbrate v. (1526), ppl. a. (1599), obumbrated ppl. a. (1592), L. obumbrāt- p.p. stem of obumbrāre Obumber v.]

1. tr. To cast a shadow over, overshadow, darken, shade, obscure; also, to shelter, protect. Also fig. a. p.p. b. p.t. c. pres. t.a. 1513 Doug. vi. ii. 124.
A goldin bewch … That standis lowkit abowt and obumbrate With dirk schaddowis of the thik wod schaw Ib. xii. Prol. 66.
The swardit soyll enbrovd with selcouth hewys Wod and forest obumbrat with thar bewys c1590 J. Stewart II. 166 § 1. 1650 Calderwood VIII. xx.
Till this great light, which doth obombrat ly, Shew forth the wayfig. a1561 Norvell Meroure 9 a.
For thou hast thyne elect predestinat, With all thy treasures to be obumbrat, Frome all dissaitfull doctrine malignantb. c1590 J. Stewart 84/165.
Quhair … monie seimlie frondise trie preclair Obumbrat all this situation rairfig. 1604-31 Craig ii. 15/10.
Xerxes, whose armies obumbrate all Hellespont, was faine … to flie from Greecec. fig. 1632 Lithgow Trav. 432.
To obumbrate the true light of the gospell

2. Erron. for adumbrate to shadow forth (e.m.E., 16th c., and cf. Adumbrat p.p.). — 1632 Lithgow Trav. 174.
More cleare then the force of policie can obumbrate their wicked devices