Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†BREEGHLE, Brechle, v. [briçl, brɛxl]
1. “A term expressive of the waddling and bustling motion of a person of small stature; as, He's breeghlin awa'” (Fif. 1825 Jam.2).
2. “Applied also to the mode in which a person of this description does any kind of work; to fiddle, to make little progress notwithstanding much bustling” (Ib.).
Hence breeghlin, brechlin, vbl.n., “motion conveying the idea of considerable exertion, but little progress” (Ib.).
[Cf. Broofle, Brughle.]
