Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1893
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WHEEZE, v.2, n.2 Also †quheze, and in deriv. form wheezie. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. whizz.
I. v. 1. To make a whizzing noise. Vbl.n. wheezan, “the noise of carriage wheels in rapid motion” (Sc. 1825 Jam.).
2. In form wheezie: to burn with a fizzing or hissing noise (Cld. 1825 Jam.).
3. To pilfer (fruit, peas or the like) to pull by stealth (Cld. 1825 Jam., quheze, wheezie).
II. n. 1. A whizzing or hissing sound produced by a flame, a hissing flame (Cld. 1825 Jam.). Also in form wheezie (Ib.).Lnk. 1893 J. Crawford Verses 35:
Langer toosie black hair never theekit a pow, Tho' ance in a wheezie 'twas burnt i' the lowe.
2. A furtive pulling of fruit, etc., fruit-pilfering (Cld. 1825 Jam.).
[It is uncertain whether meaning I. 3., II. 2. belong here but the semantic development is paralleled by mod. Eng. slang whizz, to steal, a pickpocket, imit. of the rapidity of his movements.]
