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.
RAPPLE, v. Also raple, ropple.
1. To grow speedily and in a rank manner, to shoot up, orig. of vegetation, then of a young person growing rapidly (Lth.. Rxb. 1825 Jam., rapple, ropple, Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Also in n.Eng. dial.
2. To work or make in a hurried, slovenly manner, esp. to stitch or mend a garment hurriedly and badly (Sc. 1818 Sawers; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., ropple). Also fig.n.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
One who spins fast and coarse, is said to rapple up the lint.Fif. 1864 St Andrews Gazette (16 Jan.):
An' my dear gudewife, an' my bairns a' chime Wi' me when I raple a wee bit o' rhyme.Fif. 1898 S. Tytler Mrs Carmichael's Goddesses xii.:
She began to mend the tears in her clothes a little less roughly than Bell “rappled” them up.
