Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FUFFLE, v., n. Also †fuffel.
I. v. 1. To dishevel, ruffle, disarrange (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 214; Bnff.2, Abd.9 1943; Cai., m.Lth. 1953), “particularly applied to dress when creased or disordered” (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Ppl.adj. fuffled, disordered, rumpled; limp, washed out (Bwk. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.). Cf. Carfuffle.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry 66:
He saw the Vicar owr the Kenly In fuffel'd garb, and plicht ungainly.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A dress a' fuffl'd wi' the wund.
2. To walk awkwardly as if hampered in one's movements, to hobble, shuffle. Found in ppl.adj. fufflan (Cai. 1939 John o' Groat Jnl. (10 May); Cai.7 1953); to be clumsy in one's actions (Ayr. 1953); to fumble (Sh.11 1953). Hence adj. fuffly, clumsy (Ork. 1958 Ork. Herald (25 Feb.) 3, Ork. 1975). This however may be an altered form of Fyafly.
II. n. ‡1. Fuss, violent exertion, commotion (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Dmf., Rxb. 1953).Slk. 1801 Hogg Sc. Pastorals 14:
When muckle Pate, wi' desp'rate fuffle, Had at Poltowa wan the scuffle.
2. One who is clumsy at doing things (Ayr. 1953).
[Origin imit. In form the word is a frequentative deriv. of Fuff. O.Sc. fuffil, to handle roughly, 1536.]
