A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Pik(k)ill, v.1 Also: piki-, pykl-. [Late ME. pykel- (Prompt. Parv.), pickle (1591) (tr.) pick clean, (intr. and tr.) eat sparingly or delicately. In this sense, also in the later Sc. and north. Eng. dials.] To peck, nibble; to eat sparingly or a little at a time. a. tr. b. intr. or absol. —1513 Doug. xii. Prol. 158.
Phebus red fowle … Pykland [Ruddim. pikland] his meyt in alleis quhar he went —a1585 Polwart Flyt. 755 (T).
Lik quhair I laid and pikill of that py a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1242.
Pikill in your awin poke nuke Ib. No. 1803.
Ye have not pikilled on your awin poke nuke yet
