Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BRISTLE, BRISSLE, Brisle, Brustle, v., tr. and intr. To crackle in cooking or burning; to dry, scorch, burn (Mry.2 1880; Abd.2 1936; Ayr. 1898 E.D.D., brustle; Kcb.1 1936). [brɪsl, brɪ̢sl]Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 103:
Shu grippid ane o' da lamb's hinder feet oot o' da fire wi' da tengs an' hüv'd him apo' da hertstane til da glüdin sparks an brissl'd hair shook aff o'm.Ork.(D) 1880 Dennison Orcad. Sk. Bk. 125:
His craig wi' haet deud bristle; His tongue hang oot like reested tripe.Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.:
Don't be brissling your shins over the fire.
Hence, (1) brisler, “a potato which has been cooked among the coals” (Uls. 1924 (2nd ed.) W. Lutton Montiaghisms); (2) bris'lin, applied to weather (see quot.).(2) Abd.4 1931:
“Bris'lin day,” a day with a fine drying wind.
