FREATS, or FREETS, a term used in Scotland for ill omens, and sometimes denoting accidents supernaturally unlucky. King James VI. in his Demonologie, MS. pen. Edit. B. I. ch. iv. 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 woode, herbe,
herbe, and staine; quilk is used by unlawful charms without natural cause. As lykeways all kynd of practiques, freits, or other lyk extraordinair actions, quilk cannot abyde the trew twiche of naturall raison. It occurs again in the same sense in p. 14. marg. note; and in p. 51. speaking of Sorcerers, "And in generall that name was gevin thaim for using of sic chairmis and freits, as that craft teachis thaim."