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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡DWAMLE, n., v., adj. Also dwaumle, dwamel, dwammel.

1. n.

(1) A sick or faint turn (Abd.⁹, Arg.¹ 1941; Ayr.⁴ 1928; Kcb.¹ c.1900).Arg. 1882 Argyllsh. Herald (3 June):
Dannie himsel has had a bit dwammel an' he's a wee donsie since syne.Ayr. 1832 Galt Stanley Buxton III. 208:
To let any weak, silly lassy fall with the dwamles of love.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 95:
The dwamel aff, he skellies roun', But cou'd na see a bee.

(2) Derivs. (i) dwamlock, a very sickly person (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 190); (ii) dwamly, adj. sickly, unwell, out of sorts (Fif. 1957). (ii)Lnk. 1951 G. Rae Howe o' Braefoot 18:
D'ye see yon dwamly man dichtin' the sweit frae his broo enoo?

2. v. “To faint, or look like fainting” (Ib.), to pine away. Ppl.adj. dwamlin, shaky (Abd. 1916 (per Mry.²); Abd.²⁷ 1951).Ayr. 1868 J. K. Hunter Artist's Life 38:
He dwaumled till he died.

¶3. adj. Fainting, in a swoon.Abd. 1922 G. P. Dunbar Doric 28:
But ere 'twas twined she ta'en the grue, An' dwamle lay her leen.