Definition of "ferd"

It was our great desire to have at once been at handy-strokes, well understanding that the ferd of our hot spirits could not long abide in edge.

1775, Baillie, Letters

A dainty husband, an' the best o' men, Fresh in his eild as the gree simmer glen. An' still he maks a ferd his bread to earn— His aim to hae a canty but-an'-ben, Wi' something aye to spare to ilka bairn, That they the gude auld hospitality might learn.

1832, John Nevay, “The Cotter's Birth-Day”, in Margaret De Courcy, Beatrice De Courcy, editors, The Ladies' Cabinet of Fashion, Music, and Romance, page 381

Out of Deuelin toun, The folk wel fast ran, In a water to droun, So ferd were thai than;

1804, Sir Walter Scott, Sir Tristrem

George the ferd Erle of Hunlie and second of that name his sone, three. And Jane Gordoun his dochtir, the ferd.

1565, Proces of Divorce twixt Erle Bothwell and his Wife

Gevin vunder our signet, at Edinburgh, the xxiij day of Marche, and of our regnne the ferd yer.

1571, J Chepman, Decreet of Spulzie

The first & secund regents sall haif quarterlie ilkane threttein schilling four penneis. The thrid fyfteen sehillings and the ferd and principall twenty shillings.

1614, Register of Town Council of Edinburgh, vol x