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.
GUGGLE, n., v. Also gug(e)l, gog(e)l (Jak.). [′gʌgəl, ′gug-]
I. n. “Mire; (soft) dirt; filth” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1955).
II. v. 1. To soil, dirty, esp. with the slime of fish (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1955). Cf. Begugl.
2. To work with the hands in anything soft and dirty (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1955); “to knead leaven in a slovenly way” (Edm.).
3. Fig. To do any kind of work in a bungling way (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1955).
[O.N. gogli, ooze, mud, blóð-gögl, blood-ooze.]
