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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DAGGLE, DAIGLE, v.2 and n.

1. v. “To proceed, act, or work laggardly” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); to idle; hence daigler, daggler, “a laggard” (Ib.); “an idler, a lounger” (Fif. 1825 Jam.2, daggler).Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 171–172:
We . . . stand laiglin', daiglin' wi' our hands, And whillie-whain' here.Fif.10 1940:
What are ye daiglin' aboot for? Can ye no find onything to dae?

2. n. In phr. in the daggle, trailing behind.Abd. (Deeside) 1929 Marchioness of Abd. and Temair in Deeside Field 41:
Na, na, I'll hae naething ta dae wi't [a train] — it's just a puckle men rinnin' aifter a coal-fire — tho' left in the daggle I'll juist gae hame as I cam.

[Cf. Eng. (now dial.) daggle, to walk in a slovenly way (through mud or mire); to drag or trail about (N.E.D.); frequentative of Eng. (obs. exc. dial.) dag, to clog with dirt, to bedraggle, influenced in sense development by Eng. draggle. The ppl.adj. daglit, soaked and soiled, is found in O.Sc. c.1550 (D.O.S.T.).]

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