Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 3–6 burdon, 4–5, 9 bordon, -un, 4–6 burdoun(e, 7 bourdon. [a. Fr. bourdon ‘pilgrim’s staff,’ Pr. and Sp. bordon, It. bordone, med.L. burdōn-em, identified by Du Cange and Diez with burdo mule (the name being transferred from the pilgrim’s mule to his staff). Littré suggests connection with bourde ‘pole used to support a grounded ship,’ which he further refers to behourt lance; but here there seems some error.]
1. A pilgrim’s staff.
a. 1300. K. Horn, 1092. Horn took burdon and scrippe.
c. 1320. Syr Beves, 2063. Beues … gaf him is hors … For is bordon and is sklauin.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. VI. 8. He bar a bordun [1377 burdoun, 1393 bordon], I-bounde wiþ a brod lyste.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, I. i. (1859), 2. Caste doune thy scrippe and thy burdon.
1652. Urquhart, Jewel, Wks. (1834), 230. With a palmer’s coat upon him, a bourdon in his hand, and some few cockle shels stuck to his hat.
1849. Rock, Ch. Fathers, II. vi. 199. [The Cathedral prior was suffered to use the silver bordon, which may … be called the prior’s staff].
2. A stout staff; a club, a cudgel; sometimes app. a spear or spear-shaft.
c. 1325. Pol. Songs, 150. Beggares go with bordon and bagges.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. xxxviii. 56. Ilkane a gud Burdowne in hand.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 31/4. Helysee put hys bourdon in the water and anon the yron began to swymme.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VII. ix. 69. Ane bowrdoune of ane lang styf tre, The poynt scharpyt and brynt ane lytill we.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., III. 311. Mony burdoun vpoun basnot brak.
1550. Lyndesay, Sqr. Meldrum, 445. Twa nobilmen of weir … And in their handis strang burdounis.
