Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DAIDLE, Daddle, Daudle, Dawdle, v.² [dedl, dɑ(:)dl]

1. “To draggle, to bemire one's clothes” (Sc. 1808 Jam.); ppl.adj. daidlet, dawdlt, bedraggled, spoiled by wet (Abd.², Abd.¹⁹ 1939).ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays (1908) 8:
His wobs o' wincy dawdlt waur Nor any scoorin' cloot.Ags. a.1829 A. Balfour Weeds (1830) 221:
You'll change your mind, when blashy weet, Keen pirling hail, or chilling sleet, Your feathers daidle.

2. “To roll or dash about as strong wind does sheaves of corn, etc.” (Upper Deeside 1917 (per Abd.⁸)). Known to Abd.², Abd.⁹ 1939. Ppl.adj. daidlet, daddled, daudl't, “battered, soiled” (Kcb.¹⁰ 1939, daddled), tossed about.Abd. 1924 J. Coutts in Swatches 63:
Beddit there intil a boxie, wi' a starnie mitey cheese, Dweeble kin', sair tash't an daidlet, wi' bit little scouth te heeze, Moosie watna o' its freedom.Abd.⁴ 1933:
Daudl't i' the win'.