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: 1823-1825, 1955
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GUMMLE, v., n.
I. v. 1. To make muddy by stirring up sediment; fig. to confuse, overcloud.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail lvi.:
What business had he, wi' his controversies, to gumle law and justice in the manner he has done the day?Ayr. 1825 Jam.2:
Ye're gummlin' a' the water.
2. To make a confused noise in the throat, as e.g. in gargling (m.Lth. 1955); to speak indistinctly, to mumble (m.Lth. 1955).m.Lth. 1955:
Dinna gummle there; speak out.
II. n. Water made turbid by stirring up sand or sediment below (Ayr. 1947); the dregs of any liquid (Ayr. 1954).
[Variant of Grummel, q.v., or phs. back-formation from Gumlie, adj. ]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Gummle v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gummle>
