Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DOLL, n.¹ Also †dool, †dowl. 1. A portion, large piece (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 39, doll; Bnff.², Abd.², Abd.⁹ 1940). Dim. form doolick (Ags. c.1900.) 2. esp. of dung (Bnff., Abd. 1900 E.D.D.); “applied exclusively to that of pigeons; called Dows'-Doll” (Bnff. 1825 Jam.²); cf. Dall, n.²1. Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems 211:
A Doll of rost Beef pypin het.Fif. 1825 Jam.²:
Dowls of cheese.Fif. 1883 W. D. Latto Bodkin Papers 83:
We wad be lickin' oor lips ower a dowl o' whaule's blubber.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems, etc. 43:
I hae a sonsy dool o' cheese.2. Bnff. 1949 Bnffsh. Jnl. (1 Nov.):
A doll o' dirt at ilka door And most unceevil people.