Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1929
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POWL, v.2 To wriggle, squirm, writhe about (Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1966), as of a newly-caught fish.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
It [fish] lay powlan on the tulfers . . . A chicken on the point of emerging from a shell would be said to be “powlan i' the egg”.