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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rummill, Rumbill, Rimmill, n. Also: rum(m)yll; rumbyll, rumble; romble; rymmyll; rymbill; remel, -yl(l. [ME and e.m.E. rumbel, -ul in sense 2 below (Chaucer). Cf. Dan. rummel, Norw. dial. ruml, Du. gerommel.]

1. A severe blow.In early verse. 1375 Barb. xii 559 (E).
Men mycht se … mony a reale romble [C. rymmyll, 1571 rumbill] rid Be roucht thar ?1438 Alex. i 1781.
And mony ruid rummill thay gaif Ib. ii 4278.
He hes hurt me … And woundit with ane rymbill ryde Ib. 8747.
About him sic rimmillis raucht Thare was c1450-2 Howlat 842 (A).
Quhen thai had remelis [B. remyllis] raucht, Thai forthocht that thai faucht

2. A low, continuous, rumbling sound, as of thunder. 1513 Doug. v xii 54.
Hillys and valys trymlyt of thundir rummyll [Ruddim. rumbyll] Ib. xii xiv 89.
Neuer … fulderis dynt … With sik a rummyll [Ruddim. rumyll] com bratland on sa fast 1576 Crim. Trials I ii 57.
Incontinent thai raid in to the loich with mony hiddous rumbill

b. A commotion, tumult. 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 283.
Hearing a rumble in the roume where the persuer Paterson and other company wes [etc.]