A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sweddel(l, Suedl(e, Swel(e, Suel(e, v. Also: sweil(l, sweyl(l. [ME and e.m.E. suedel, swethel, -il (all Cursor M.), swedyll (c1460), swadle (Caxton), swedle (1615), swaddle (1633), also in the later dial. as swyl (1768), sweel (1793) (SND, Sweel v.2).] To swaddle. —c1420 Wynt. v 10.
That chyld wes tane and swelyd [C. suelit, E.2 suedlyt] than, And in a cryb syne layde he was c1420 Wynt. v 1402.
Swelyt [C. suelyt, W. sweyllit, E.2 suedleit] a1605 Montg. Flyt. 292 (H).
They mused at the mandrak vnmaid lyke a man … Weill sweddelled [T. sweillit] in a swyns skine and smerit over with suit 1627 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II 118.
Thair wes exposed … in ane closse or throwgang … ane … infant … swadled and bound up in the swedling cloathes
