Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1861, 1912
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SMOOL, v.2, n.2 [smul]
I. v. To wear a petulant, discontented expression, to scowl, frown; to look scornful and unfriendly; of a horse: to threaten to bite by baring its teeth (Dmf. 1970). The word smollicher in phr. a black smollicher, “a person with very dark features” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.) is phs. to be referred here as a deriv. agent n. The source has not been traced.Kcb. 1861 R. Quinn Heather Lintie 69:
Ye maun na smool nor hang yer brows Whan neist we meet.Kcb. 1912 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 291:
What are ye smoolin' at?
II. n. A scowl (Kcb. 1921 T.S.D.C.; Dmf. 1970); a snarl by a horse when threatening to bite (Id.). Also in Manx dial.
[Orig. somewhat uncertain, prob. from Scand. Cf. Norw. dial. smulla, smolla, to snort, laugh, and Ger. schmollen, to look sulky, pout, (dial.) to smirk.]
