A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Rifle, Ryfle, v. [ME and e.m.E. ryuel (Manning), ryvell (1530), obs. F. rivler (OED) to ravel.] tr. To rifle (something) up, to unravel, disentangle, fray out. fig. or in fig. context. —1584 Calderwood IV 42.
In knotts and knars, that skarse can one tell how to beginne to unloose and rifle up the same c1590 Fowler I 385/217.
Nowe this, nowe that, I ryfle vpp Within my buissy brayne
