Sc. [app. f. JACK sb.1 4 + MAN. Referred by Scott, and writers after him, to JACK sb.2] An attendant or retainer kept by a nobleman or landowner. Obs. exc. Hist.
1567. Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.), 197. Preistis, leif ȝour pryde … And Iakmen be ȝour syde.
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. 1846, I. 37. The Bischop of Brechin, having his placeboes and jackmen in the toun, buffated the Freir, and called him Heretick.
1637–50. Row, Hist. Kirk (1842), 172. Familie exercises, prayer, and the word, and singing of psalms … are profaned and abused, by calling on the cook, stewart, or jackman, to performe that religious duetie, the masters of families ashamed so to honour God in their awin persons.
1820. Scott, Monast., ix. The chiefs and landed proprietors retaining in their service what were called jackmen, from the ‘jack,’ or doublet quilted with iron, which they wore as defensive armour.
1849. Jas. Grant, Kirkaldy of Gr., iv. 35. A train of swash-bucklers or stout jackmen.
¶ Erroneously put for JARKMAN, q.v.
