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.
MUG, n.3, v.3 Also mugg (Jak.); mogg (Ib.); and freq. form muggte.
I. n. Drizzling rain freq. accompanied by mist or fog (Abd. 1825 Jam.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Abd., Ags. 1963). Also in Eng. dial.
Hence muggy, muggi (Jak.), muggly, 1. drizzling, wet and misty (Abd. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Mry.1 1925; Abd.4 1931, muggly; I. and ne.Sc., Uls. 1963). Now only dial. in Eng.; 2. tipsy, befuddled with drink (Sc. 1825 Jam.).
II. v. To drizzle, esp. when accompanied by misty weather (Abd. 1825 Jam.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Abd. (muggle), Ags. 1963).Abd. 1861 J. Davidson Poems 93:
Muggin' down in gentle drappies Ambrosial vivifyin' dew.Sh. 1892 Manson's Sh. Almanac:
Da wadder wis dauchin'd a gude dael, an muggled im inta a stumba o wet dagg.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick iv.:
It had begun to drizzle. “She's begoot tae muggle,” said Jock Cheyne.