A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Pirl,) Pyrl, v. [Cf. ME. birl to prick, pierce or stab (c 1400), also e.m.E. pirl (c 1500) tr. to twist, curl, (1791) cause to revolve, also (spec., in the mod. Sc. dial.) to manoeuvre by prodding and intr. to curl. Cf. Pirl-pig, Pirl-silver.] intr. To thrust or poke at. —c1475 Wall. vi. 473.
Sum brak a pott, sum pyrlit at his e
