sb. 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. 403. 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. Ibid. (1620), 777/2. Cum potestate … recipiendi parvas custumas … lie towst aliasque devorias nundinarum et portus.
Hence † Toust v., Sc. Obs. rare, trans. to tax; whence † Tousting vbl. sb.
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.
