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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Proviso(u)r, -wisour, n. [ME and e.m.E. prouisour (Piers Plowman), -uysour, -vizor the holder of a ‘provision’ to a benefice (1362), a manager (1390), a protector (1503), an ecclesiastical vicar-general (c1560), also in 17th c. Eng. a purveyor, steward (1631), AF provisour (1339), F. proviseur (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), L. prōvīsor a provider, f. prōvidēre Provid(e v.]

1. The steward, purveyor or treasurer of a community, as a monastery, burgh or college. 1445 Acta Fac. Artium Univ. Sanctandree 63.
[Ad dandum duos magistros provisores pro festo Facultatis 1453 Ib. 96.]
Insuper elegebantur in provisores pro collatione Sancti Johannis 1498 Treas. Acc. I 390.
Giffin to the Gray Freris prouisour in Striuelin, to the bigging 1500 Ib. II 69. 1536–7 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 178.
Provisoris and desersitouris [sic in pr.] of the common proffettis of our burgh of Sellkyrk 1580 Comm. Univ. III (St. A.) App. 192.
The saidis debtis … alsweill awand to the saidis collegis, or be the maisteris and provisouris thairof 1637 Glasg. Univ. Mun. I 268.
The provisor 1677 Appendix History Church of Scotland 34.
An oeconomus or provisor [etc.]

2. An official charged with the provision of supplies, transport, etc., to the king or to a high official.(1) 1543 Reg. Privy S. III 84/1.
Makand him sercheour and provisour of all and sindry hors and oxin necessar for careing of oure soverane ladyis … artailliery [etc.] 1567 Mar & Kellie MSS 20.
Andro Hegy, his majesteis prowisour c1575 Balfour Pract. 584.
The king, his justice, or his chalmerlane's provisouris [Acts purwayaris] may be challengit, that thay mak mair provisiounis nor thay ar commandit to do … and follow thair singular proffit and commoditie 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 152.
Pvrveyours (provisours, catours) to the king 1671 Aberd. Council Lett. V 82.
The judges provisor(2) 1574 Reg. Privy C. II 364.
To warrand the saidis assignationis of the said thrid to the saidis ministeris and redaris and provisor of oure said soverane lordis hous for the crop and yeir of God [1573] 1578–9 Ib. III 93.
Sir Williame Murray … provisour of his hienes house and of the hous of … James Erll of Murray … payment sould have bene maid to him of the haill maillis [etc.] … to the furnissing of the saidis houssis

3. A purveyor or retailer. 1584 Reg. Privy C. III 655.
All baxters browsteris tavernaris flescheouris fischeouris cuikis and utheris provisouris of victuellis 1645 Army of the Covenant I 196.
For so mutch he rested to Mr. John Drumond provisor for certaine provision