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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.

DEVEL, n. and v. Also deval, †devle, davel. [′dev(ə)l]

1. n. A severe and stunning blow (Sc. 1808 Jam., devel, devle; Rxb. 1825 Jam.², 1923 Watson W.-B., devel, deval, obsol.); a heavy fall, a thud.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxv.:
Ae gude downright devel will split it.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems, etc. 158:
In giddy, thoughtless mirth, a wee, Let Fortune's vot'ries revel; Yet, frae the tap o' fun, ye'll see They'll get an unco devel.Ayr. 1786 Burns T. Samson's Elegy (Cent. ed.) iii.:
Death's gien the Lodge an unco devel: Tam Samson's dead!Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Tales 116:
The frien'ly firs, they keep it noof, Frae Boreas' baul'est devel.Kcb.¹ c.1900:
A lump o' stane that has been heezed into the air wi' blastin' powder comes down wi a davel, sinkin' near oot o' sicht in the yirth.

2. v.

(1) tr. To strike with violence; to beat; to dash (w.Sc. 1825 Jam.², davel, devel; Rxb. 1825 Jam.², 1923 Watson W.-B., obsol.). Also found in Nhb. dial.Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick III. iii.:
“Keep us a'!” cried the guide, “gin we binna devell't against Dumbuck Ford.”Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 70:
He swapt and swang, Develin' the air wi' monie a bang.Rnf. 1807 R. Tannahill Poems (1817) 282:
“Guile soud be devel'd i' the dirt,” Said Will MacNeil.s.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell Psalms xci. 12:
Thaye sall beaer thee up in thair han's, in kase ye devel thy fit agayne ane stane.

Hence develler, ‡(1) one celebrated as a boxer (Rxb. 1825 Jam.², 1923 Watson W.-B., obsol.); †(2) “a dextrous young fellow” (Ib.).

(2) intr. To saunter, wander aimlessly; “to stumble about” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Sc. 1827 G. R. Kinloch Ballad Bk. 42:
For the brawest wooer that ere ye saw Is come develling doun the green.