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.
†DROTCHEL, n. “An idle wench; a sluggard. In Scotland it is still used” (Sc. 1755 S. Johnson Dictionary).
[Cf. Dratch and Eng. dial. dratchel(l), a slattern.]