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.
KEVEL, v.2, n.2 Also kevl. [Sh. ′kɛvəl. Rxb. kæ:vl]
I. v. 1. “To comport or carry oneself, walk, run or leap, clumsily or awkwardly”, to stumble (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Dmf. 1959). Also in n.Eng. dial.Uls. 1844 R. Huddleston Poems 76:
Wi' boots an' spurs their whipper-in Yet scarce can mak' them kevel, Frae sleep that day.
2. To bungle, carry out a piece of work badly and clumsily (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), ppl.adj. kevlet, bungling, awkward (Ib.); to handle a knife awkwardly in cutting or carving (Rxb., Slk. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
II. n. Work which is clumsily or badly executed, a muddle (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[Phs. a freq. form of Cave, v.1 But for II. cf. also Norw. dial. keivla, to work clumsily, keiv, awry, crooked.]
