Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1788-1827, 1897-1934
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FUMMLE, v.1, n.1 Also fumle, fummel. Gen.Sc. forms and usages of Eng. fumble, to grope awkwardly, to be clumsy, ‡to be sexually impotent.
I. v. 1. As in Eng.Bwk. 1823 A. Hewit Poems 126:
To catch the willows sair they fummelt, Wi' ruggin' fast.Edb. 1897 P. H. Hunter J. Armiger's Revenge 108:
He gied oot the wrang psalm, an' fummelt aboot seekin' his text.Abd. 1934 D. Scott Stories and Sk. 30:
So he fum'lt aboot a while wi' 'is han' abeen 'is heid.
Hence fumblat, -et [ -art], a childless married man (Abd. 1916 T.S.D.C. II., 1923 Swatches o' Hamespun 16).
¶2. To make (water) turbid or muddy, to trouble.Sc. 1827 G.R. Kinloch Ballad Book (1891) 18:
For your money there's na much matter, To mak you pay for fumbling our water.
II. n. A fumbling; work badly or hurriedly done, a botch (Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr. 692), a bungling.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 99:
Now I'se be doon wi' huthran fumle.Bnff. 1900 E.D.D.:
He keepit a fummle wee's fingers i' the croon o's hat a' the time.
