Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†HOUSAL, adj., n. Also hoosal.

I. adj. Household, belonging to the house (Sc. 1882 Francisque-Michel 424). Obs. in Eng. in late 17th c.Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems II. 5:
In sicken housal wark she bure a skair.

II. n. The master of ceremonies at a wedding. The full form maister hoosal, id., is also found (Ork.⁵ 1957).Ork. 1911 J. Omond 80 Years Ago 12:
The master of ceremonies, called the “hoosal” (household), saw that each guest got a dram and a biscuit and cheese on arrival.