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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Refrenȝe, v. Also: -freny(h)e, -freynȝe. [ME refreigne to restrain (oneself) (once, 1387), OF refraindre to break back (12th c.), to hinder, to restrain (oneself), to cease, pop. L. refrangere, L. refringere to break up, also fig. = check, weaken, etc.In Sc., falling together, in form and sense, with Refrene v.] tr.Appar. obs. after c1520.

1. To hold back, hinder or restrain (a person or animal) from (fra) an act or course of action, also from excess.Cf. OF refraindre de. a1400 Leg. S. xvi 230.
Presyt hyre in mony wyse Thame to refrenȝe fra sik seruice of ydolis c1420 Wynt. i 1346.
Bot thair fe Fra fwlth off mete refrenyht [W. refrenȝeit] be [etc.]

b. Also, quasi-reflex., to refrenȝe (one's) mouth, const. fra. 1456 Hay II 49/17.
That iryn bitt in mouth betakenis that he suld refrenȝe his mouth fra bathe evill vicious speche and evill thouchtis

2. To control or restrain (one's own desire or feeling); to put a check upon. 1375 Barb. iv 731 (E).
Men … may rycht weill refreynȝe his will Othir throw nurtur or throw skill ?1438 Alex. ii 2959.
Refrenȝe, sone, thy matelent [F. Laisse ton mautalent fraindre]!

3. To restrain, curb or check (an action, quality, etc.). a1400 Leg. S. xxviii 8.
Vertu [of the pearl] it is blud to restrenȝe, & flux of wame refrenȝe c1420 Ratis R. 1447.
And eild, that suld … pres al wycis to refrenȝe c1490 Porteous Noblenes 175/16 (Asl.).
Thar is na thing may sa fer degraide a gud hart as to refrenȝe honour dowtand in werteu

4. To restrain or check (idle talk); to put restraint on (one's tongue); to bridle.Cf. 1 b above. c1520-c1535 Nisbet James i 26.
And gif ony man … refrenyeis nocht [Vulg. non refrenans] his toung [etc.]