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: 1891-1953
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SPROOL, n., v. Also sprul(e), spruell; sproll, sprole (Ork.). [sprul; Sh. + sprøl, Ork. sprɔl]
I. n. 1. A short length of wire or whale-bone pushed crosswise through the lead-sinker of a hand fishing-line and having hooks attached at either end (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; ne.Sc., Ags., Fif., Lth. 1911; Ork. 1929 Marw., sproll; Sh., Ork., Cai., Ags., Fif. 1971).Ork. 1891 Sc. Antiquary V. 169:
The use of the sprole in fishing is a modern invention here, and enables the fisher to use two hooks on one line.Bnff.6 1928:
I hid a gweed catch wi the sprool the day.Ork. 1951 R. Rendall Ork. Variants 57:
Sea-gaan is no whit wance it wis, Afore they hed the sprole.
¶2. Transf. A projecting wing on the part of the old Orkney wooden single-stilted plough on which the sock was fixed, which acted as a mould board to turn over the furrow.Ork. 1903 G. Marwick Old Roman Plough (1936) 8:
The wing or sproll of the markal pin sticks out from the right hand side of the plough and does duty the same as the mouldboard or cupper of the present day.
II. v. To fish with a sproot off shore (Bnff., Ags., Fif. 1971).Bnff. 1953 Scotsman (16 Nov.):
Termed “spruelling” in Findochty.
