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.
Quotation dates: 1923
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BUITTLE, Bootle, v. “To walk ungracefully, taking short steps, with a kind of stotting or bouncing motion” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, bootle). Ppl.adj. buittlin'.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A buittlin' boody.
Comb.: buittle-breeks, “a short-legged, stumpy individual” (Ib.).
[These may be irreg. forms of Bittle, n.2, a beetle, suggested by the clumsy walk of the insect, but cf. Bittle, v. (4), to run with speed. For bootle, Jam. suggests a connection with bout, to spring, see Bowt.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Buittle v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/buittle>
