Obs. Also 7 Sc. waird-. [f. WARD sb.2 + HOUSE sb.]
1. (The) Wardhouse: used to render Norw. Vardøhuus, the name of a fortress situated on the island of Vardö, off the NE. coast of Norway.
1555. in Hakluyt, Voy. (1589), 295. Articles … determined for the Commission of the Merchants of this company resiant in Russia, and at the Wardhouse, for the second voiage.
1557. A. Jenkinson, ibid., 334. Being at this North Cape the 2. day of July, we had [etc.]…. The 3. day we came to Wardhouse.
1615. I. R., Trades Increase, 4. Whereas the Hollander … between the Warde-house and the Eastward, at Tippenie, Kilden, Olena,… and at Saint Nicholas in Russia, had aboue thirty fiue sailes of their shippes the last yeare.
2. A guard-house for prisoners. Sc.
1590. Reg. Privy Council Scot., IV. 538. Ane sufficient wardhous for prisonaris.
1611. Burgh Rec. Stirling (1887), I. 127. The lettres … concerning prissones and wairdhoussis.
1618. Extracts Aberd. Reg. (1848), II. 357. Thomas Watsoune, maister measone to the bigging of the wardhous.
3. ? A post or station of a military guard.
1633. Sir J. Burroughs, Sov. Brit. Seas (1651), 83. The King of Denmarke at his Wardhouse in the Sound, hath for a Licence a Doller.
