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.
RISTLE, n. Also rustil; misprinted as rootle (Inv. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XIV. 179). A type of single-stilted plough having no share but only a sharp, sickle-shaped coulter, designed to cut a narrow deep rut through strong roots, the furrow being turned over by a larger plough following (Arg. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 X. 412). Also attrib. Now hist.Hebr. 1716 M. Martin Descr. W. Islands 53:
They have a little plough also called Ristle, i.e. a thing that cleaves, the coulter of which is in the form of a sickle, and it is drawn sometimes by one and sometimes by two horses, according as the ground is. The design of this little plough is to draw a deep line in the ground, to make it more easy for the big plough to follow, which otherwise would be retarded by the strong roots of bent lying deep in the ground that are cut out by the little plough.Highl. 1787 The Bee VIII. 285:
A rustil or sharp piece of iron for cutting the furrows.Sc. 1808 R. Forsyth Beauties Scot. V. 470:
Two men with two horses first guide and drag the restle, which cuts without opening the furrow.Hebr. 1811 J. Macdonald Agric. Hebr. 156:
This instrument is used for a similar purpose with the English scarificator. . . . The English implement is furnished with five or six sickles, or coulters, . . . the ristle has only one. It is fixed in a small plough with one handle and drawn generally by one horse.Ayr. 1879 D. Rowan Mem. Ochiltree 53:
The ristle plough . . . seems to have been capable only of making a deep scratch on the soil.
