Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1847-1870
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CUTTLE, Cuittle, Kütel, Kittle, v. To sharpen, to whet (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., kütel; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., cuittle, kittle). Ppl.adj. cuttl't. Cf. w.Yks. dial. cuttle, to make cutlery (E.D.D.). [′køtəl, ′kyt-, ′kɪt-]m.Sc. 1870 J. Nicholson Idylls o' Hame 35:
Thy blade I'll scour, thy edge I'll cuttle.Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 144:
Thy rough and ready weapon's nane sae blunt, 'Twill staun' a rattle 'gainst their cuttl't gullies.
Hence cuittler, “one who sharpens; a cutler” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); also in comb. cuittler's dreep (drap), a drop of mucus on the end of the nose (Ib.), from the similarity to the water-drip which moistens a cutler's wheel.
[A back-formation from O.Sc. cutler, 1356 (D.O.S.T.).]
