Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BRUFFLE, v. and n.
1. v. (See quot.)Dmf. 1825 Jam.2:
To bruffle and sweat, to moil and toil, to be turmoiled and overheated.Dmf. 1912 J. Hyslop Echoes 308:
His neighbours were still "bruffling" away at theirs [hay] up Balgray way.
2. n. A bungler; “one who works in a clumsy manner; a mere bruffle — one who makes a botch of a job” (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 67). Cf. Broggle, n., 2.
[Cf. Cum. bruffle, to exert oneself violently, also Broofle and Brughle, and see etym. note to Bruff'd,ppl.adj.]
