Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1818-1831, 1912
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PAWL, v., n. Also paul, paulle, pall.
I. v. 1. intr. and absol. Of an animal, esp. a horse: to comb the ground with the forefoot, paw the ground (Slk. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., paul); also used tr. in phr. to pawl the ground.
†2. To make clutching or groping movements with the hands, to grab at something feebly or ineffectively, fumble (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); also with at: to work feebly, ineffectively or half-heartedly (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); specif. to toy or play with one's food without appetite (Ib.).Slk. 1818 Hogg Tales (1874) 71:
The corpse again sat up in the bed, pawled wi' its hands, and stared round wi' its dead face.Slk. 1912 H.J.C. Clippings from Clayboddie (1921) 40:
He chewed and sucked and pawled at them [porridge] with his spoon, and after all left half of them in the bowl.
†II. n. 1. A fumbling, groping movement. a weak clutch.Slk. 1831 Hogg Poems (1874) 368:
Hee maide a paulle with handis and feitte, And gaif ane faynte "Hurraye!"
