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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FODGEL, adj., n., v. Also fudgel; †fudjell (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 214), †fodyell (Slk. 1825 Jam.). [′fɔdʒəl, ′fʌdʒ-]

I. adj. Plump, buxom, well-built (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Bnff.⁴ 1927; Abd.⁹ 1943).Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.T. Misc. (1876) I. 22:
And I am a fine fodgel lass, And the siller comes linkin in.Ayr. 1787 Burns Letters (ed. Ferguson) No. 592:
Ane o' them a sonsie, fine, fodgel lass, baith braw and bonnie.Sc. 1820 Blackwood's Mag. (Nov.) 201:
Me and ane o' the Servan-lasses — and a bonny bit fodgel red cheekit Gawky it was.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry 154:
Ae wee short canon, fat and fodgel.Gsw. 1879 A. G. Murdoch Rhymes 48:
This fat and fodgel, weel-creesh't, muckle soo.

II. n. A plump, good-humoured person (Sc. 1818 Sawers; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 214; Slk. 1825 Jam.; ne.Sc. 1943).Uls.⁴ 1952:
A fodgel of a fella.

†III. v. 1. To walk like a stout person, to waddle (Sc. 1825 Jam.), esp. in ppl.adj. fodyellin; 2. intr., to thrive, prosper (Abd. 1825 Jam.); refl. to enrich oneself, feather one's own nest. Rare.2. Abd., Per. 1900 E.D.D.:
He has fodgelled himsel' geyan weel.