Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WOOZLE, adj. Also wozlie, woslie, wuzlie, wislie; also in ppl. form wuzzlin. Having a pinched, shrivelled, sallow face (Rxb. 1825 Jam., s.v. woslie, wuzlie, a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 220, wuzzlin); dwarfish or stunted in growth, unhealthy-looking, also wuzlie-like (Lth. 1825 Jam.); doing dirty work, busy at some messy task (Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 220).
[s.Sc. variant of Oozlie, q.v., and see also W, letter, 3.]
