FREATS, or FREATS, a term used in Scotland for ill omens, and sometimes denoting accidents supernaturally unlucky. King James VI. in his Demonologie, MS. pen. Edin. B. I. ch. III. p. 13. "But I pray you forget not likeways to tell what are the Devil's rudiments? E. His rudiments I call first in general
all that quhilk is called vulgairlie the virtu of woole, herbe, and staine; quhilk is used by unlawfull charms without natural causes. As lykeways all kynd of prattiques, freits, or ulber lyk extraordinair actions, quhilk cannot abyle the treta twiche of naturall reason." It occurs again in the same sense in p. 14. marg. note; and in p. 41. speaking of Sorecers: "And in general that name was gevin thaim for usung of sic charms and freits, as that craft teachis thaim."