Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†SPARPLE, v. Also sperple. Sc. usage: tr. To scatter, spread about, disperse, distribute (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Also with out. Obs. in Eng. Cf. Sperfle. Only in arch. use.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry 9:
Her fingers in her basket dippin', Pick witch-bells out, . . . And sparple them in frisky mirth Ow'r the great waist o' mither Yerth.Sc. 1846 Anon Muckomachy 65:
Drag, drag, the michtie barrels forth! That they may sparple out their stores.
