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.
ROUSLE, v. Also rousel, roosle, roussil. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. rustle. To strike, beat, belabour. Ppl.n. rouslin', a beating, in phr. to gie a rooselin. Ppl.adj. rooslin, of the wind: fresh, strong (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); of persons: bustling, cheerfully active (Bwk. 1825 Jam., roussilin). Cf. U.S. rustle, to bestir oneself. [ruzl, rusl]Dmf. 1834 H. Johnston Poems 18:
Some ither fool may rousel thee, And fell thee wi' a treadle tree.
