A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Drumly, a. Also: drumlye, -lie, -ley, drwmly, dromely, drumblie. [Cf. Drubly a.]
1. Of streams or water: Troubled, turbid, muddy. Also in fig. contexts.1513 Doug. vi. v. 4.
[The] flude of Acheron … Drumly of mud, and skaldand as it war wod 1562-3 Winȝet II. 78/5.
Lat the cleir fayth … of our elders be na mixing of glar or mude be tribulit (and maid drumlye) 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 24.
Having anys gustit how gude fischeing it is in drumly watter, thay can na maner laif the craft c1590 J. Stewart 93/502.
He … did neuir spair Quhill all that vattir cleir … Vas drumlie trublit in ilk conduict clair 1615 Highland P. III. 222.
Giveing imployment to the Cambellis, … wha crawis ever to fish in drwmly watters 1600-1610 Melville Mem. 43.
That he fissching in dromely watters mycht with tim mak himself maister of the haill 1629 Boyd Last B. 228.
The waters and all shall be muddie and drumblie 1643 Bk. Pasquils 144.
Thy evill contrived and desparat matters Makes thee fische in drumley waters
2. Of weather: Cloudy, gloomy.1513 Doug. v. xii. 55.
The drumly [Sm. drumblie] schour ȝet furth our al the ayr Als blak as pyk … Fyllys the schippys Ib. vii. Prol. 47.
Thik drumly skuggis dyrknyt so the hevyn Ib. x. x. 142.
The feirfull drumly thundris blast
3 fig. Troubled, disturbed, melancholy.1629 Boyd Last B. 174.
This world is a glasse, wherein a drumlie eye may see its vanitie 1639 Baillie I. 200.
We did little expect the holding of it in so drumblie a season 1677 Inverness Presb. 85.
Shee was for the space of ane yeir compleitt keipt in a most drumly condition 1708 Melville Corr. 220.
The Duke of Atholl wrot to Grant desyring ane apoyntment to consert measures upon this drumlie occasione
