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.
KREEKLE, v. Also krieckle, creekle, krik(e)ll; and dissimilated form kreetle. [′krik(ə)l]
1. To creep, crawl, “to move or wriggle about in a hampered manner”, to go slowly and carefully owing to the presence of danger (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1960).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
What's he gaan kreetlan there aboot the face o' the craig for?
2. To totter, shake, walk feebly or unsteadily from age or weakness, to stagger (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 130, 1898 E.D.D., creekle, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1960); to give way, succumb (Jam. MSS.).
[Norw. dial. krekla, to creep. Cf. Kreks, v.1]
