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: 1840-1889, 1950
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FUMMLE, v.2, n.2 Also fummel, -il; fommel, fom(m)le. ne.Sc. forms of Whummle. Cf. Folm.
I. v., tr. and intr. To turn upside down (ne.Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis, s.v. fumler; Mry.1 1925; ‡ne.Sc. 1953); to tumble the cat.Bnff. 1847 A. Cumming Tales 45:
She fomled the bicker aboon his pow.Abd. 1867 Mrs Allardyce Goodwife 10:
There's naething like a timmer cap, . . . Ane's fommell't there to raise the barm.Bnff. 1889 Banffshire Jnl. (31 Dec.):
But tell me fat it's for. 'Odsakes! To mak' the bairns grow jimpin-jakes An fummle, fow, an' furl like snakes.Abd. 1950 Buchan Observer (15 Aug.):
The brose caup or bowl is usually “fommeled ower” the bowl of milk to keep it free from dust and the like.
†II. n. In pl.: the whip for a spinning-top (Abd. 1825 Jam.). Comb. fummel-stick, the whip handle.Abd. 1840 W. Bannerman Abd. Worthies 94:
He could accommodate us with a piece of twine to tie on our new points on our fummel sticks.
