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

BURLAW, BYRLAW, BIRLEY, BARLEY. Byrlaw Court, a court of neighbours, residing in the country, which determines as to local concerns.
Skene. Reg. Maj.

From Belg. baur (boer) a husbandman, and law; or as Germ. bauer, A. S. bur, Isl. byr, signify a village, as well as a husbandman, the term may signify the law of the village or district.

Burlie-Bailie, s. An officer employed to enforce the laws of the Burlaw-courts.
Ramsay.

BURLED, BURLIT, part. pa.
Acts Ja. II.

Does this signify burnt, from Fr. brul-er?

BURLY, s. A crowd, a tumult, S. B.

Teut. borl-en, to vociferate. Hence E. hurly-burly.

BURLY, BUIRLIE, adj. Stately, strong; as applied to buildings.
Wallace.

Teut. boer, Germ. bauer, a boor, with the termination lic, denoting resemblance.

BURLINS, s. pl. The bread burnt in the oven in baking, S. q. burnlins.