Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡HAMMLE, v. Also hummle (s.Sc. 1909 G. Greig Folk-Song xxv. 1). To walk with a limp, to hobble (Slk. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
Hence vbl.n. hamlin, hamlan, a wile, trick, in pl. “applied to the doubling, tricks, and pretences of a fox” (Jam.6).
[Orig. doubtful. Phs. a variant of Eng. dial. hamble, to limp. Cf. Humple and the parallel formations in L.Ger. hammeln, hempelen, humpelen, to walk or move in a clumsy, ungainly manner, to hobble, limp. The association of the vbl.n. with the finite verb is uncertain.]
