Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BROOSTLE, Brussle, Brussel, Brushel, Broozle, Bruzzle, Bruistle, v. and n. [brusl, brʌsl, brʌzl, brysl]

1. v.

(1) “To be in a great hurry, to be in a bustle about little” (Slk. 1825 Jam.²); “to rush forward in a fierce and disorderly way” (Ayr. Ib., brussel, brushel).Sc.(E) 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws of the Marches xi.:
You'll hae time enough if you broostle up.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
She brussl't inti the room.

(2) “To perspire violently from toil” (Teviotd. 1825 Jam.², s.v. broozle). Ppl.adj. bruzzlin'.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Fair bruzzlin' wi' heat.

2. n.

(1) “A very bustling state, impetuosity in coming forward” (Slk. 1825 Jam.²); a rush, a sally.Slk. 1818 Hogg Brownie of Bodsbeck I. 71–72:
But dinna ye think that a fitter time may come to mak a push? . . . I like nae desperate broostles.

(2) A spell of heated exertion or hard struggle.Ayr. 1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage, etc. 199:
In the hettest o' the bruistle I was somehow dung overboard.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
They had a gey brussle ti wun throw.Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales II. 182:
We gat twal fish a' thegither the-day, an' sair broostles we had wi' some o' them.