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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.

DRAWIL, -EL, -WAL, n. Also dragel, drachwel, drowel. Also freq. with final s. “The end of a boat's keel where it curves upwards to the stem” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl., draw'wal), now esp. the fore- or after-part of a false keel (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., drowel; 1908 Jak. (1928)).Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 244:
We set wir backs till her, gettin' da eft drawil on a oak lin smeer'd wi' rotten droo.

[Norw. draghals, id., from O.N. drag, the iron rim on the keel of a boat, + háls, part of the forecastle or bow of a boat. The forms without s have arisen from mistaking it for a pl. ending.]

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