Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PUFFLE, v. In phr. to puffle the pot, see quot.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
In old days the only barley available for broth was the native “bere” which was mashed or “knocked” in a “knockin-steen” with a wooden mallet. When this “barley” was put in the pot and boiled the husks rose to the top. Round the mouth of the pot a band of rope or straw was placed, and in this the husks partly stuck. At the proper time this band was whisked across the mouth of the pot and thus skimmed off the most of the husks. This process was called “pufflan the pot”.
