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.

¶ESKDALE SOUPLE, n. comb. A two-handed sword or broadsword; “from its resemblance to that part of a flail which strikes the grain . . . a very natural metaphor; both on account of its size, and because the Borderers were better acquainted with the use of this than of any other kind of flail” (Jam.²).Slk. 1822 Hogg Perils of Man II. ii.:
Gin I were but on Corby's back again! — and the Eskdale souple o'er my shoulder (that was the cant name of Charlie's tremendous sword); I might then work my way.