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.
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.).]
