Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MUFFLE, v. As in Eng. Ppl.adj. muffled, in comb. muffled man, in border raiding parlance: one who betrays his neighbour by leading a marauding party over secret paths to his stronghold, and who muffles his face that he may be spared recognition and retribution. Deriv. muffler, id. Liter.s.Sc. 1834 Wilson's Tales of the Borders I. 42, 43:
By devious windings, as a hound tracks its prey, the muffled men led them on. . . . Three troopers, guided by a muffler and a sluth-dog, pursued him.
