An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

BESLE, BEZLE, s. Idle talking, Ang.

Belg. beusel, id.

BESMOTTRIT, part. pa. Bespattered, fouled.
Douglas.

A. S. besmyt-an, maculare, inquinare; Belg. besmodder-en, Germ. schmader-n, schmatter-n, to stain, S. to smadd, Su. G. smitt-a.

BESOUTH, prep. To the southward of.
V. [Benorth].

BEST, part. pa. Struck, beaten.
V. [Baist].
Barbour.

BEST, part. pa. Perhaps, fluttering, or shaken.
Barbour.

Isl. beyst-i, concutio.

BEST, s. "Beast, any animal not human," Gl. Wynt.
Wyntown.

The term is still used in this general sense, S. pronounced q. baist. S. B.