A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Bodle, Bodell, n. [Of obscure origin, unless Jamieson's statement is correct, that ‘these pieces are said to have been denominated from a mint-master of the name of Bothwell.’] ‘A copper coin, of the value of two pennies Scots, or the third part of an English halfpenny’ (J).1650 A. B. Mutat. Polemo 12.]
[Whom they valued not really at the estimation of 200000 Scotch bawdles c 1655 Rep. Hist. MSS., Var. Coll. V. 165.
The greatest pryce payit for any darg did not exceid four schillings ten pence and tuo bodells 1658 Acts VI. ii. 766/2.
The Counsell there doe propose that liberty be given for coyning £5000 in bodles 1659 Nicoll Diary 233.
The toun suld haif a turnour or bodell of every pynt of aill 1661 Edinb. Test. LXX. 112 b.
Thrie barrell of cutt tobacco … at vj d half penny and ane bodell the pund 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. ii. 35.
For twenty shillings to a bodle, Both are the birth of humane nodle
