† toust, n. Sc. Old Law.
Also 6–7 towst, 6 towist.
[a. AF. toste, touste (13–14th c. in Godef.), var. spelling of tōte, toute, toulte, tolte, ‘enlèvement’ = med.L. tolta, f. OF. toldre, L. tollĕre to lift, take away, raise: see tolt.]
An impost, rate levied, tax.
| 1574 Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 408 Gif ony towst sould be takin of thair gudis. Ibid., The said towist and impositioun. 1596 in Munim. Burgh Irvine (1890) I. 85 Grant to the provost, bailies, council and community of Irwing..the toust, exactioun and impoist of all the following sorts of merchandise. 1598 in Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 1603. 513/1 Pro receptione cujusdam taxationis lie toust and taxatioun. 1620 Ibid. 777/2 Cum potestate..recipiendi parvas custumas..lie towst aliasque devorias nundinarum et portus. |
Hence † toust v., Sc. Obs. rare, trans. to tax; whence † ˈtousting vbl. n.
| 1565 in Calderwood Hist. Kirk (1843) II. 574 The taxing and tousting of her Majestie's barons and other lieges, which are tousted for repairing of that which was so indiscreitlie of the patrimonie forsaid dilapidated. |