Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CROICHLE, CROIGHL(E), CROCHLE, Croachle, v. and n. [krɔɪxl; kroxl]
1. v. To cough, to have a short, dry, husky cough (Sc. 1818 Sawers Dict. Sc. Lang.; Bnff.2 1941, crochle; Rnf., Upper Lnk. 1825 Jam.2). Ppl.adj. crochlan, “short of breath” (Abd. 1921 W. Walker MS. W.-L.).Per. 1895 R. Ford Tayside Songs 193:
Oor dowie auld gudeman sat croichlin' in the neuk, His chin upon his waukit luives, his elbucks on the Book.Gsw. 1884 H. Johnston Martha Spreull (1930) 80–81:
The chincough set doon unco sair on my system — in truth I . . . croichled awa' sae lang, that my mither had to tak' me doon to the waterside at Govan for a change o' air.Ayr. 1826 R. Hetrick Poems 80:
At length he croachled up a host.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 146:
Those of consumptive habit are always “croichlin”.
2. n. “A slight, or short dry cough” (Rnf. 1825 Jam.2, croighle). Known to Bnff.2 1941.Sc. 1832–46 W. Finlay in Whistle-Binkie (Fifth Series) 20:
The winter has set in, lads, but what care we for frost, Its snaw'y doublet, icy trews, its croighle or its hoast.Rnf. 1807 R. Tannahill Poems 18:
Yestreen I catch'd a wee bit croighl o' cauld.
