Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†OCKER, n., v. Also ok(e)r, okkir.

I. n. Usury, the lending of money at interest.Peb. 1715 A. Pennecuik Tweeddale 393:
I borrow silver dear for ocker, To them that are in debt and grief.

Hence 1. o(c)kerer, occurer, a usurer; 2. ockery, usury.1. Sc. 1699 Edb. Gazette (1–4 May):
The Magistrats . . . have by beat of Drum discharged any person whatsoever to withhold Victual . . . under Certification of being punished as Uusurers [sic] and Occurrers.Sc. 1725 Present Case Brewers Edb. 13:
The Law has declared such as buy Victual, and hold the same to a Dearth, punishable as Okerers or Usurers.Sc. 1871 P. H. Waddell Psalms cix. 11:
Lat the ockerer rax owre ilk haet that was his.2. Bnff. 1702 Trans. Bnff. Field Club (1914) 11:
His committing the crime of Ockery and Usury, by taking more annual rent Interest and profit for the loan and use of the money than is allowed by the lawes of your said Kingdom.

II. v. To increase (in price) (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 162, 1866 Edm. Gl.).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De laird is okerd de rent.