A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Wam(m)ill, Wamble, v. [ME and e.m.E. wamel, wamble (both 14th c.), wamylle (Cath. Angl.). Cf. Da. vamle to feel nausea, MSw. vami nausea, vomul nauseous (L. vomere to vomit), and Norw. vamla, vamra to stagger.] intr.a. To feel nauseous or queasy, to turn over in nausea. Also fig.b. To stagger, totter, wobble.a. 1456 Hay II 119/33.
That has a wayke calde stomak, he … oft tymis gantis and wambleis, bolkis [etc.] 1629 Boyd Last B. 60.
This is my greatest feare that I haue done despite vnto the spirit of grace. This striketh widest wounds into my soule and maketh all the bowels of my bellie to wamble 1638 Johnston Diary I 361.
Al this tyme I fand my stomak wambling within me every morning a1689 Cleland 95.
But stomake wambles, I must closefig. a1500 Henr. Fab. 145.
His hart wammillis [Bann. wamillis] wyse argumentis to heirb. 1460 Hay Alex. 18164.
Vpone his feit he schupe to stand Bot sone agane he swyeit doun wammilland c1620 Boyd Zion's Fl. 20.
Like to a tower wambling on the sea 1684 Law Memor. xcvi.
A stone thrown down the chimney, wambled a space in the floor and then took a flight out at the window
