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 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Nose-, Noisthirl(l, n. Also: noys-thirl, noy(i)sthyrl(l, nosetharle, -thrill(e. [ME. and e.m.E. nosethurle (c 1340), -thyrle (1480), noose-thrill (Wyclif), nose-thryl(l: cf. Nosethirsle and Nosthril (and Nesethrill).] A nostril. 1513 Doug. xii. Prol. 29.
The flambe owtbrastyng at his noys [v.rr. neis, neys] thyrlys Ib. iii. 5.
As Phebus stedis … Rasyt thar hedis and noys thirlys [Ruddim. noyis thyrllis] on hight 1567 G. Ball. 110.
Thair nois thirlis can nouther sauer nor smell 1569-73 Bann. Mem. 334.
Nose thirles 1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Noisthirllis

b. In fig. contexts. 1559 Knox VI. 85.
The sense and feeiling of sinne so stinking in our owne nosetharles 1565 Ib. 404.
God had put a brydle in his nosethirles 1607 Mylne Master Masons 93.
We … esteme your majestie as our father yea and as the breath of our nosethrillis c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 85.
A compleet … armie … is send north to disperse this cloud, which … should be blowen away with the breath of his nosethrilles