Early 17th century. Probably the reflex of a borrowing from early Scandinavian. In Orkney use probably via the unattested Norn reflex of the early Scandinavian word represented by the Scandinavian forms listed s.v. mease.
Definition of maise in US English:
maise
nounmeɪz
Scottish, Orkney rare
= maeshie.
Origin
Early 17th century. Probably the reflex of a borrowing from early Scandinavian. In Orkney use probably via the unattested Norn reflex of the early Scandinavian word represented by the Scandinavian forms listed s.v. mease.