Sc. and north. Also 9 Sc. -ga’en, gaun. [f. WAY adv.] The action or fact of going away, departure (on a journey, from life); the act of leaving (a habitation, employment).
1633. Sir A. Johnston (Ld. Wariston), Diary (S.H.S.), I. 93. Coming hoome … my saule blissed God … for his goodnes to me in this comunion conforme to my voue befor my way-going.
1649. J. Carstaires, Lett. (1846), 58. Fearing much the [letter] bearer’s way-going, I dare say no more; but let [etc.].
1702. H. Guthry, Mem., 56. They press’d that the prorogation might be with the consent of the Estates, and upon his refusal they oppos’d his way-going.
1819. Alex. Balfour, Campbell, I. xviii. 326. It was a wae wa-ga’en to mae nor me at that time.
1825–82. Jamieson, Way-gaun, Wa’-gaun, Way-going, adj., removing from a farm or habitation.
1896. ‘G. Setoun,’ Robert Urquhart, xxiii. 248. He may ha’e so putten the words in my mouth just to ease the wa-gaun o’ a faithfu’ servant.
1899. Crockett, Kit Kennedy, ii. 13. Christopher Kennedy had lost his position … for drunkenness, and even at that very moment with his companions he was celebrating his way-going.
b. attrib., as way-going premium; way-going crop (see quots.).
1773. Harpham Inclos. Act, 8. Such farmer … shall … have a *way going crop or crops following him.
1797. J. Bailey & G. Culley, Agric. Northumbld., ii. 25. Where the tenant quits on the 12th of May, he is allowed to have a crop of corn from off two-thirds of the arable lands; this is called the way-going crop.
1855. H. Broom, Comm. Common Law (1856), 13. A custom that a tenant shall have the waygoing crop after the expiration of his term is reasonable and good.
1920. Act 10 & 11 Geo. V., c. 76 § 10 (7) (f). The tenant shall, along with the last or waygoing crop, sow permanent grass seeds.
1881. Times, 17 March, 4/5. They [sc. Irish tenants] care not to realize five years’ rent for the *way-going premium which at any time they might receive.
Similarly Way-going a., departing, outgoing. Sc.
1812. Sir J. Sinclair, Syst. Husb. Scot., II. 62. Much depends on the conditions obligatory on the way-going tenant.
1845. R. Hunter, Law Landl. & Tenant, Index, Waygoing tenant’s right to value of fallow land.
