FREATS, or FREITS, a term used in Scotland for ill omens, and sometimes denoting accidents supernaturally unlucky. King James VI. in his Dæmonologie, MS. pen. Edit. B. I. ch. iv. p. 13. "But I pray you forget not likewise to tell what are the Devil's rudiments? E. His rudiments I call first in general all that quhilk is called vulgairelic the virtu of wood, herbe,
herbe, and staine; quhilk is used by unlawful charms without natural causis. As lykeways all kynd of practiques, freitis, 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 naine was gevin thaime for using of sic chairmis and freitis, as that craft teachis thaime."