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

BEST-MAN, s. Brideman; as best-maid is bride-maid; from having the principal offices in waiting on the bride, S.

BESTIAL, (off Tre) s. An engine for a siege.
Wallace.

It seems uncertain, whether this word be formed from Lat. bestialis, as at first applied to the engines called rams, sows, &c., or from Fr. bastille, a tower; L. B. bastillae.

BESTIALITÉ, s. Cattle.
Complaynt S.

L. B. bestialia, pecudes; Fr. bestail.

BESTREIK, part. pa. Drawn out; gold bestreik, gold wire or twist.
Burel.

Teut. be-streck-en, extendere.

BESTURTED, part. pa. Startled, alarmed, afrighted, S.

Germ. besturz-en, to startle; besturzt seyn, to be startled. Ihre views Isl. stird-r, rigid, immoveable, as the root.

BESWAKIT, part. pa. Apparently, soaked, drenched.
Dunbar.