α.
1424 (1814) II. 6/1 Þt na man haif mertrik skynnis out of the realme.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Trial of Fox l. 913 in (1981) 38 The mertrik, with the cunning and the con.
c1500 (?a1437) (1939) clvii The bugill, drawar by his hornis grete, The martrik, sable, the foynyee, and mony mo.
c1540 J. Bellenden in tr. H. Boece sig. Cvv Mony hydis and skynnis of oxin, scheip, gait, and martrikis.
1564 in J. H. Burton (1877) 1st Ser. I. 308 Ane goun of drogat, lynit with martrikis, begareit with velvot.
a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece (1858) I. 151 For fox and fulmart and of mertrik skin, Anew thair wes tha landis than within.
1643 Edinb. Test. LX. f. 218v, in at Martrik Aucht meirtrick skinnes..xxx lib.
1703 M. Martin 36 The Mertrick..about the size of a big Cat, is pretty numerous in this Isle.
1707 G. Miège ii. ii. 30 Deer-skins, Foxes,..Mertricks.
1748 (ed. 4) IV. 291 Metricks, a four-footed creature, about the Size of a large Cat.
1802 J. Sibbald IV. Gloss. Martlet, more commonly mertrick, a kind of large weesel, which bears a rich fur.
1845 VI. 260 Among the quadrupeds, we may mention Martes abietum, the mertrick or pine-martin.