Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Kervel(l, n. Also: kerwel, kervale. [ME. kervyle (1462) and F. kirvelle (16th c.). Cf. Carvell. n. (also Karvell).] A carvel, a kind of light, fast-sailing ship. 1450 Exch. R. V. 384.
[Ad preparacionem navis regis vocate le Kervel Ib. 387.
Carpentariis reformantibus navem regis Kervale nuncupatam 1455 Ib. VI. 3.]
Ad … reparacionem navicule dicte Kerwel 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I. 66.
Gevin to the men of North Bervic that fand the Kingis ankeris and cabillis of his kervell 1513 Doug. iii. vi. 213 (Sm.).
Our kervalis howis ladis … he Ib. v. iv. 77.
The mychty kervell