Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡STICHLE, v., n. Also stechle, steighle. stickle. [stɪxl, stɪkl]
I. v. To make a noise in moving about, to rustle, to stir, buzz, bustle (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Kcd. 1971). Vbl.n. stichlin, a stirring rustling sound.Sc. 1710 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) 1. 271:
Ther was a soft shouer of rain, and when the people began to stickle a little, he said to this purpose, “What a mercy is it that the Lord sifts that rain throu these heavens on us, and does not rain doun fire and brimstone, as he did upon Sodom and Gomorha!”Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 91:
With the steighling of the straw.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 166:
While, stichlan, whistles through their nose, The eldritch snore.Abd. 1836 J. Grant Tales of the Glens 61:
Hearin' a stichlin' aff the way, amid some broom and auld ferns.Abd. 1904 E.D.D.:
There's a mouse stechlin' amo' my papers.
II. n. A rustle, bustling noise, a slight stir (Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr. 693: Kcd. 1971).Abd. 1961 People's Jnl. (19 Aug.) 3:
There wis a stechle at the back door.
